Verses 1-3. A temptation from the merely natural man, through its rational faculty, is described.

Verses 4-9. Another temptation causing distress on account of falsities from evil, during which there is a tendency to return to merely natural states, and sensual lusts prevail; but there is application to the Word, and earnest prayer for deliverance, and then revelation that the Lord's Human is to be made Divine through temptations, and that, therefore, every one in the church has power from Him, by faith, to overcome the promptings of the sensual life.

Verses 10-20. Other changes of state in which the man of the church is protected.

Verses 21-35. And lastly, he is disposed, in another state of temptation, to temporize with evils in general; but discovering his error, resists his enemies, both generally and in particular, by the help of the Lord, and thus the external man is subdued, both as to selfish love and worldly love.