PUBLIC-DOMAIN CHRISTIAN BOOK
The Pulpit Commentary — 1 Corinthians
Frederic William Farrar [1831-1903] · 502,662 words · 564 reading sections
The Pulpit Commentary — 1 Corinthians — Section 421
Vers. 4-8.-The immortality of love. "Charity never faileth," etc. Amonc,et the many things which Paul predicates in this chapter concerning "charity," or lo,-~, is its permanence. I. It will " never fail" as an ELEMENT OF MORAL POWER. Love is the strongest force in the soul. 1. lt is the strongest sustaining power. Ou…
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1Lttainable, is a sin. Ignorance of Christ in a land of churches and Bibles, is a sin, and that of no ordinary heinousness. It is a culumity to the heathen ; it is a crime to us. IV. There iM a partial knowledge that is BENEFICENT. Our ignorance of our future is a blessing. Were the whole of our future to be spread ou…
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purely relative-Redeemer, Father, Master. Thus only is he re11arded. Of what he is in himself, what he is in the nuivcrse, what he is in immensity, he understands nothing. Iu et~rnity we shall "see him as b~ is." 4. In servility. 'l'he child yields his under- standing up to others, often allows 1t to be used as "cla…
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Ver. 13.-Love the greatest power in mind. "And now abideth faith, hope, charity,'' etc. Love is here brought into comparison with two other great things in mind-faith and hope. I. The CORRESPONDENCE between these three. The words imply: 1. That they are ail great. 'l;'he apostle speaks of the "greatest." "Faith" is …
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the breath of the multitude, fragrant with adulation, feeds his luncrs, This it is that arteriahzes his blood and sends it hot and poisonous to his brai;, Of courtie theso Corinthians were the very persons to overvalue the crift of tono-ues. It was in thee channel of their tastes and traditions. Dut the apostl; teac…
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solely, altogether, from him, the "Image of the invisible God," and the "Firstborn of every creature." Inasmuch, then, as the ideal of our nature is not as we see it in and by our own unaided consciousness, but in and by a consciousness illuminated arnl guided by the Holy Ghost, how could it be otherwise than that new …
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this cardinal virtue. Along with this he says, "Love vauntetli not "-a similar idea to the foregoing as to its bad temper, but unlike as to its mood of exhibition. Reference is here made to the foolish display of self-importance after the manner of o. swacrcrerer <'r hrnggart. Next comes the statement, "Is not p1~ff…
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moments, and when the cross is nearest by, that it may be one with others, as it Ion"s to be one with Christ and the Father, Every inch that a majestic oak goes upwa~d or spreads laterally, down go its roots; further and wider they spread themselves out, tree above and tree below, preserving, each in its way, proportio…
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no sudden, still less an enrly, acqnirement. It is a slow growth. Time, as a co-worker with ~race, has much to <lo with its excellence. Years only can give it matnrity an,l )'Cars full of providence. Consider, too, what a co-education of the body is implied here, what a subduing of recreant nerves, ,vhat a check on …
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and Christinnity assures us what it means. H is that we may be trained in the mi<lst of evanescence for that which is permanent. An<l this presupposes that there is not only an immortal soul in man, but that, by reason of his present orgauization and its relations, certnin of his functious and acquirements are purely t…
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their worth, if the fuller splendours, of which these are faint escapes of light, were not ab,olute certainties of the future. Only when the "perfect is come" shall that which is "in part" be "done away." Institutions founded in providence and upheld by the Spirit are left to no chance or accident as to cont.inuance…
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the eye is the noblest of the special senses, so learn we, and cot without much patient exertion, and oft-repeated efforts to see God in Christ as made known in bis crospel and providence and Holy Spirit. Yet the mirror trains the eye and prepares it 1o see Uod through no such intervening medium. The promised vision is…
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the girt of tongues draws :ittention to the possessor himself, whilst charity goes forth from him who cultivates it to others. The gift in question was one Hplcndid and daz_zling. "\Vb?ther it con_sisted in a P?wer to _speak intelligibly in foreign language~, or m the pouring forth ot sounds-art1culatc, mdeed, but not …
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Ver. 2.-Love and faith. St. Paul was so emphatically the apostle of faith, that it is hard to believe that he wrote anything approaching to disparagement of that great and efficacious virtue. If he devoted a great part of his chief Epistle-that to the Romans-to an exhibition of the power of faith, it is not likely that…
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Ver. 3.-Love and self-immolation, It would seem that Paul had some anticipation -0f the approaching developments of Christian society. There is no ground for believing that, at the time when he wrote, any member of the Church of Christ had suffered at the stake for fidelity to principle and to faith. Such martyrdoms …
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Vers. 4, 5.-Love and self-abnegation. Where there is sincere Christian love, that grace will not only affect for good the intercourse of human society, it will exercise a most powerful and beneficial influence over the nature of which it takes possession; <ihangiag pride into humility, and selfishness into self-denial.…
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Christian's nature, relates him anew and aright to "all things," i.e. to the whole system in which he finds himself, and of which indeed he forms a part. I. LOVE "CONCEALETH ALL 'l'HINGS." The word is one which, perhaps, cannot be confidently interpreted. Ilut it may and probably does mean" conceal" or" cover." And GO…
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Vers. 9, 10.-The partial and the perfect. Christianity is an intellectual religion as- distinc! from religions ~r ritual and cerem~ny.. It is propagated and maintained by preaclung and by teachrng. It encourages rnquiry, study, science. And, accordingly, there is some danger lest those who seize upon this characteri…
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rapidity in striking contrast. Childh'lod has its own thoughts, sometimes upon the most mysterious themes, always with little knowledge of the thoughts of others; thou"hts unfounded, unjustifiable; thoughts, too, which may be developed into a larger and ri~her experience. Now, he who becomes a man puts aside these infa…
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Ver. 12.-l'low, and then. Divine knowledge is the truest riches of the intellect• DiYine lo~e, the dearest wealth of the heart. Love is greater than all gifts; greate; ,than tongues and than prophecy, which shall pass away; greater even than knowled"e which here is but partial and progressive. How natural that St. P…
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mind looking back upon it. 2. Light shall be cast upon the mysteries of earth and time. What has been pel'plexing and inexplicable when beheld so near at hand shall be clear and unmistakable as the appointment of Divine wisdom and love, when lwkecl down upon from yonder heights. 3. Christ himself shall be then seen "as…
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this dii-ection at all meets the case. The Corinthian Chmch was peculiarly proud of its "gift of tongues ; " its love was not so conspicuous. Our glorying is often false glorying. That which is most praised is not always the most praiseworthy. We are ~pt to prize most what we should prize least. To talk is not the c…
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.gifts did amongst the Corinthians. Is not puffed up with pride, which is closely related to party zeal, as in those at Corinth who cried, "I am of Paul, and I of A polios," etc. Does not seek to win praise or applause. IV. UNSELFISH. "Seeketh not her own." Loses sight largely of self. The 'Corinthians cried, "I ...…
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II. Oun FUTURE KNO\HEDGE. Hereafter things will be chano-ed. No lon"er shall we se~ in a mirror darkly, but "face to face." Our life will n~t then be t\ ~t,idy of rejlect1011s. The atmosphere will then be purer. Our vision will be corrected and per- fected. Earthly distrnctions wi\l cease: Then remark how perfect ou…
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Vera. 1-3.-0harif.y puts the acceptableness on all gifts and works. The Revised Ver- sion renders" charity". as" love." E_xplain '' charitl'.;" d!stingnish from "~lmsgiving," and from the love t~at :~ connected with human relat10nsh1ps. If we could mtelligently .use the word "charity to express God's love for us, we sh…
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generous kindness, thoughtfulness, and good will. In its laro-er, nobler meaning, charity· is something peculiarly Christian ; something that springs ~p only in that soul which has felt the love of God in its own redemption. I. CHARITY IS THE GREATEST o~· GRACES IN THE WIDTH OF ITS SPHERE. Other- graces have partic…
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I am known." .Better read, "I was known," i.e. known or apprehended of Christ. St. Paul's thought appears to be that soul-culture brings the true, full knowledcre and 0 :power. A man knows on'iy in the mea.~ure of the progress of the work of Divine grace in him; and what we may call perfect knowledge can only come whe…
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And that kind of love which we call Christian love-charity-has the •same power of abiding. Let it but be gained in the early days of our Christian life, and it will stay and grow, widening and adorning the Christian spirit do,vn to its time of passing throllgh. If love thus abides in Christian life, can it be possib…
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chapter proves in o most striking way the may be imitated with most da11gcrous and close 11,n11logy between "the tongue" and objectionable results both to the speaker the impassioned soliloquies of inarticulate and to others. But when the expression is utterance which were poured forth in tones genuine, the fact tha…
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implies "chnnce" is recognized. The word "Et resonaturum ferit aethera vooibue- ·•chance" itself ( .-vx~) docs not occur in the Amen." New Testament. So many kinds of voices. Being the answer of the congregation, the This does not seem to mean "so many lan- "Amen" was 1·egarded as no less impo1·tant gua~es." The Jews a…
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this by Jee.. xxviii. 11, 12. Now, in that that now prevalent among Quaker,. The- p11seage Ieo.iab tells the drunken priests, tearhing was not kft to recognized pastors, who scornfully imitated bis style, tho.t, but any Christian might speak who had since they derided God's meeso.ge so delivered gifts which moved him t…
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.sooner or later, to stop the rnanifesto.tion-a inflation and restlessness. As in all result which St. Paul would probllbly ho.ve Churches of the saints. The clause pro- been the last to regret, when its purpose had bably belongs to this verse, not to the follow- been accomplished. iug. It is a reflection ou the exc…
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HOMILETICS. Vers, 1-28, 34-40.-Grace and gifts. "Follow after charity," etc. There are many separate verses in this chapter implying or suggesting thoughts capable of being wrought out into sermonic sketches, but my purpose now is to take n homiletical glance at the whole. 'l'he following general propositions will …
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~he principle on which graces are preferable as gifts, but the principle on which one gift is preferable to another: 'Rather that ye may prophesy.' Now, the principle of this preference is Yery briefly stated. Of gifts, Paul prefers those which are useful to thoso that are showy. The gift of prophecy was useful to o…
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ceality becomes instinct with mighty and irrepressible ideas-ideas which he "cannot but speak," for" necessity is laid" upon him to do so. They are given to him to com- municate, not to monopolize, and on their communication the spiritual life, growth, and perfection of mankind depend. Paul assumes in the whole of t…
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experimental knowledge and inspiration, are far more qualified to instruct and comfort the people than their professional and stated minist.er. Surely official preaching has no authority, either in Scripture, reason, or experience, and it must come to an end sooner or later. Every Christian man should be a preacher. …
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fellows. Actuated wholly by brotherly sentiment, be comes down from the pedestal of complacent self-regard, and values hie endowment in the degree that he is able to take the common level, and thereby instruct and console bis brethren. Why then should the argument in this chapter follow the eulogy on love so closely? O…
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brotherhood and helpfulness of otherR. Therefore, "desire •.. rather that ye may, prophesy." And wherefore? That ye may "speak unto men" with three ends in· vie"·, namely, edification, exhortation, comfort. To edify is to build up the whole framework of Chris_tian character; to_ exhort is to incite to duty by timely,…
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Vers. 14-22.-Further enforcement of the argument. At this point in the discussion St. Paui refers to the distinction between the spirit and the understanding. Such a dis- tinction must be recognized or his argument has no basis in the nature of the human mind, and, if there be no foundation in the laws of the mind for …
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Vers. 23-32.-llow a: spectator would regard the tongues; the gracious ejfeots of prophesyiug ; interpretation or silence, Suppose that the whole Church were to assemble in one place (argues the apostle), and all "speak with tongues;" the unchecked energy pouring itself forth in many and discordant volumes, each spea…
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expl~in th? words of all" (Conybeare and :8owson). How !mportant the interpreter was 1s obvious, for he says, "lf there be no rnterpreter," let him who sJ>eaks in toncrue~ "keep silence in the Church." Will this destroy his devotional spirit? Nay· he 7nay still commune silently with himself and with God.- Prophets may …
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Ver. 3.-The purposes of prophesying. There was a marked difference of judgment between St. Paul and his Corinthian converts with regard to the relative value of speak- ing with tongues and of propbesying. The Corinthians were disposed to set too high a value upon the more brilliant and startling gift; its novelty and s…
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Ver. 15.-The two elements in <levotion, Religious exercises ha.ve always consisted mainly of praise and prayer. If there be a Deity, then from him we have received all we possess and enjoy, and to him, therefore, our natural feelings and our reason alike urge us to present sacrifices of thanksgiving. And since we ar…
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Vers. 24, 25.-The conviction of th~ unbeliever. In estimating the gifts of intelligent prophecy on the one hand, and the gifts of tongues on the other, the apostle tests their respective value by their practical utility. It could not be denied that one great end of the existence of the Christian Church was, as it st…
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Ver. 33.-...4 God, ,,zot of co11/usio,,z, but of peace. 'l'rne reli.zion teaches us to refer all qnestions to the highest tribunal, and to ask, not merely-What is agreeable and expedient? but-What is the will of God? At.Corinth many disorders had arisen; men spake with tongues and without interpreters, two or three pro…
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own habits, are not always men of the soundest judgm.ent. To resist evidence and auth0rity is no sign of soundness of mind and power of intellect. Some are obstinate because they are blind to all testimony and evidence but that which is acceptable to their own prejudices. II. THERE .ARE THOSE WHOM NO EVIDENCE CAN CON…
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startles most may be least valuable; that which calls forth most remark may be mosi barren, '!'he_ apostle had to_ rebu~e the childish Cori?thians who _were captivated by the strange gift of speakmg in foreign languages-a gift most precious when foreigners 8peaking these languages were addressed, but valueless when …
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Vers. 23-25.-Oonversion prepared for. I. CONVERSION EFFECTED BY MEANS; 1. The door of the sanctuary should be an open one (ver. 23). Restrictions and hin- drances to attendance should be swept away. Non-churchgoers are often such tbrouah the action of churchgoers. 2. Means should constantly be employed in the sanctua;y…
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Vers. 34, 35.-Women in the Church. I. WOMEN HAVE A PLACE IN THE CHURCH. Christianity exalts woman. It found her degraded; it ennobles her. In Christ there is neither male nor female (Gal. iii. 28). II. WOMEN HAVE MANY MINISTRIES CONNECTED WITH TIIE CHURCH. If excluded from some positions, bow many are still open to wo…
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Ver. 3.-Ghristian 1n·ophesying. In our day a "prophet" is one who predicts future- c,ents, but in the older times the word iocluden. niuch more tliim that; Old Testament? prophets were religious teachers who. revealed the will of God, and expounded the \Y ord of God. Moses was a prophet, but his chief work was relig…
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Ver. 5.-The Church's edification the object sought in the trust of Christian gifts. "That the Church may receive edifying." In classifying the Christian gifts, talents, and endowments, the first broad distinction to be made is between such as direct atten- tion to the possessor, and such as give the possessor a graciou…
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Vers. 7-11.-0hristian intelligence the medium of Christian growth. The point presented in these verses _appears to be that the Church is not really edified, save as the teachings presented to it appeal to the understanding. "Everythin" for use, and every_thing in _its place, is a rule, the apostle is sayi~g, that holds…
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you are growing old and cunning; you must grow a child again, with my Son this blessed birth-time. Yon are growing old and selfish; you mnst become a child. 'You are growing old and careful; yon must become a child. You are growina old and distrustful ; you must become a child. You are growing old, and petty, and ;eak,…
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Ver. 24.-Preaching to unbelievers. Previously the apostle had shown that the proper sphere of tbe Christian prophet was the teaching of the Church, so that its members might be edified, exhorted, and comfo1·ted. Now he intimates that this is not the only influence exerted by Christian prophesying; it has its power a…
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CHAPTER XV. for the resurrection ( ;,ers. 29-34). 5. Ana- logies helpful for understanding the subject Vers. 1-58.-The doctrine of the resur- (vers. 35-!9). 6. Couclusion o.nd exhorto.tion ,rection. This cho.pter, natl the thil'tccnth, (vers. 50-58). ou Christiun love, stand out, even amoag Vers. 1-11,-The evidence o…
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again making known to lbem R gospel Ver. 4.-And th!l,t he roae; rnthcr, that which (1) he had preached and (2J they he had been raised. 'l'he burial wns n single- also received; and (3) in which they now act; the Resurrection is permanent and stood fast (Rom. v. 2; Eph. vi. 13); nnd (4) eternal in its issues. Aooord…
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(John xii. 3-5; Acts i. 14; ix. 5, etc.). Of Ver 10.-By the gro.ce of Ood I am what all the apostles (Acts i. 3; Luke xxiv. I am. And therefore he was "in nothing 50). James the Lord's brother was only behind the very chiefeet apostles." How- an apostle in the wider sense of the word. e,er humbly he thought of himsel…
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of the rcsurreC'tion. l. They Mn har,lly Christian faith in the Resurrection rest~ linve been Jewish. The mass of Jews nt not on pililosophic theory, but on an his- this time shared the views of the Phnri- toric fact. eees, who strongly maintained the resurrec• Ver. 17.-Vain; rather, frustrate. The tion (Acts xxiii…
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his immediate subject; to think e.u1l to destroyed is death. This renderino- mi"h t treo.t of one topic e.t e. time. Ho is not here imply tho.t other enemies should still ex·ist, thinking directly and immediately of the though Dee.th should be the last who woul,I resurreotion in genera.I. lu this verse, l'ie destroyed.…
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any interruption, no c-rented thing ciaiming The "interprctRtions" of this verse ere so a pln<'C', no enemy creating opposilion, shnll numerous that it is not uven possible to be subordinated to the Son, the Son to the give n catalogue of them. Many of them Fnther. All things shall sny, 'God is all arc not w01th rec…
1,004 wordsSource & rights
Public domain historical Pulpit Commentary. Source page identifies the volume as Public Domain; text extracted from its historical PDF.
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Historical Christian writing; not Scripture.