"The four responses to the Word of God are:
1. Outright rejection of the Word, due to hardness of heart, verses 4 and 19
2. An initial enthusiasm, followed by falling away, due a shallow understanding of the Word, verses 5, 6, 20 and 21.
3. Apparent reception, that never produces any fruit, due to the Word being choked by concerns about things in this life, verse 7 and 22
4. A proper reception which produces abundant fruit, verses 8 and 23." |
