things are yours,'' may be understood. It means that all things are designed to promote the interests of the church. The consummation of the work of redemption is the great end to which all things are directed, and to which they are to be made subservient. And secondly, the church is the heir of the world, Rom. 4, 13. All things are given to Christ as the head of the chur h, and to the church in him. For his people are to reign with hhn, Rom. 8, 17, and the glory which the Father gave him, he gives them, John 17, 22. The church, which is to be thus exalted, is not any external society with its hierarchy, nor is it the body of poor, imperfect believers as they now are, who for their own good are despised and down- trodden. But it is the consummated church to be formed out of materials now so unpromising. The people of God, how- ever, should not be unmindful of their high destiny, nor act unworthily of it.
22. Whether Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas, or the world, or life, or death, or things present, or things to come ; all are yours ;
This is the amplification of the preceding verse. In the "all things" there mentioned are included, 1. The ministry, which belongs to the church and is designed for its edification. The church does not belong to the ministry, as a kingdom belongs to a king, but the reverse. 2. The world (koo-joios) in its widest sense. The present order of things is maintained and directed to the promotion of the great work of redemp- tion. 3. Life and death. This means not merely that the question whether the people of God live or die, is determined with reference to their own good ; but also that life and death are dispensed and administered so as best to fulfil the designs of God in reference to the church. The greatest men of the world, kings, statesmen and heroes, ministers, individual be- lievers and unbelievers, live or die just as best subserves the interests of Christ's kingdom. 4. Things present and things to come, i. e. the present and the future. It is no temporary subjection of all tMngs to the church which is intended. The plan of God contemplates the permanent exaltation of the redeemed.
23. And ye are Christ's ; and Christ (is) God's. As all things are subject to the church and belong to it,