Might serve him - Might obey, honor, and worship him. This was regarded as a "favor." This was what was promised, and for this Zechariah praised God.

Without fear - Fear of death, of spiritual enemies, or of external foes. In the sure hope of God's "eternal" favor beyond the grave.

Being delivered, etc. - The salvation brought by Jesus Christ, consists in the following things: -

1. We are to be delivered out of the hand of our enemies, and from all that hate us; so that sin shall neither have dominion over us, nor existence in us.

2. We are to worship God, λατρευειν, to render him that service and adoration which the letter and spirit of his religion require.

3. Ye are to live in holiness, a strict inward conformity to the mind of Christ - and righteousness, a full outward conformity to the precepts of the Gospel.

4. This is to be done before God, under the continual influence and support of his grace, and with a constant evidence of his presence and approbation.

5. This state is a state of true happiness - it is without fear. Sin is all cast out, holiness is brought in; God's power upholds, and his approbation cheers and comforts, the believing heart. Thus misery is precluded, and happiness established.

6. This blessedness is to continue as long as we exist - all the days of our life, in all ages, in all situations, and in all circumstances. What a pity to have lived so long without God in the world, when so much happiness and glory are to be enjoyed in union with him!

Της ζωης, in the last clause, is omitted by many MSS., versions, and fathers. Griesbach has left it out of the text: however, it is but of small importance whether we read all our days, or, all the days of our life.

That he would grant unto us,.... What is said in this and the following verse, is the substance of the promised mercy, covenant, and oath:

that we being delivered out of the hands of our enemies, as before, in Luke 1:71.

might serve him without fear. One principal end of deliverance from spiritual enemies by Christ, is the service of God; and nothing lays a greater obligation on men to serve the Lord, and glorify him, than redemption by Christ; nor is there any thing that makes men more zealous of good works: spiritual and evangelical service, in distinction from the legal service, and worship of God, is here meant; since it is said to be "without fear", which the threatenings and curses of the law filled men with; but being delivered from it, they become free from that spirit of bondage unto fear, it genders to; as being delivered also from sin and Satan, they are without fear of hell and damnation; and from the world, they are without fear of men; and from death, they are without fear of that, through which many under the legal dispensation, were all their lifetime subject to bondage. It is a saying of the Jews (y), that:

"greater is he that serves from love, than he that serves from fear.

But such sort of service is not of a man's self, or performed by his own power and strength, but is a "grant" from God, and owing to the influence of his Spirit and grace,

(y) T. Bab. Sota, fol. 31. 1. Vid. Maimon. Hilch. Teshuva, c. 10, sect. 1, 2.

Serve (λατρεύειν)

Originally to serve for hire, from λάτρον, hire. Plato uses it of the service of God.

That he would grant unto us, that we being delivered out of the hand of our enemies might serve him without fear,

1:74 To serve him without fear - Without any slavish fear. Here is the substance of the great promise. That we shall be always holy, always happy: that being delivered from Satan and sin, from every uneasy and unholy temper, we shall joyfully love and serve God, in every thought, word, and work.

74, 75. That he would grant us, &c.-How comprehensive is the view here given! (1) The purpose of all redemption-"that we should serve Him"-that is, "the Lord God of Israel" (Lu 1:68). The word signifies religious service distinctively-"the priesthood of the New Testament" [Bengel]. (2) The nature of this service-"in holiness and righteousness before Him" (Lu 1:75)-or, as in His presence (compare Ps 56:13). (3) Its freedom-"being delivered out of the hand of our enemies." (4) Its fearlessness-"might serve Him without fear." (5) Its duration-"all the days of our life."

1:67-80 Zacharias uttered a prophecy concerning the kingdom and salvation of the Messiah. The gospel brings light with it; in it the day dawns. In John the Baptist it began to break, and increased apace to the perfect day. The gospel is discovering; it shows that about which we were utterly in the dark; it is to give light to those that sit in darkness, the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. It is reviving; it brings light to those that sit in the shadow of death, as condemned prisoners in the dungeon. It is directing; it is to guide our feet in the way of peace, into that way which will bring us to peace at last, Ro 3:17. John gave proofs of strong faith, vigorous and holy affections, and of being above the fear and love of the world. Thus he ripened for usefulness; but he lived a retired life, till he came forward openly as the forerunner of the Messiah. Let us follow peace with all men, as well as seek peace with God and our own consciences. And if it be the will of God that we live unknown to the world, still let us diligently seek to grow strong in the grace of Jesus Christ.