of men is a divine work, and those by whom it is accomplished are thereby authenticated as divine messengers. It is as much the work of God as a miracle, and therefore, when duly au- thenticated, has the same effect as an evidence of a divine commission. This, although vaUd evidence, and as such adduced by the apostle, is nevertheless very liable to be abused. First, because much which passes for conversion is spurious ; and secondly, because the evidence of success is often urged in behalf of the errors of preachers, when that success is due to the truth which they preach. Still there are cases when the success is of such a character, so undeniable and so great, as to supersede the necessity of any other evi' dence of a divine call. Such was the case with the apostles, with the reformers, and with many of our modern missionaries
3. Mine answer to them that do examine me is this
That is, what precedes, and not what follows ; for what follows is no answer to those who called his apostleship in question. Both the words here used, (avaKptvu)) to examine, and (aTToAoyta), apology^ or answer^ are forensic terms. Paul means that w^hen any of his opponents undertook to question him, as it were, judicially, as to his apostleship, he answered, ' I have seen the Lord Jesus, and he has set his seal to my com- mission by the success with which he has crowned my labours.' This answer satisfied Peter, James and John, who gave to Paul the right hand of fellowship, seeing that to him had been committed the apostleship unto the Gentiles, Gal. 2, 8. 9.
4. Have we not power to eat and drink ?
Power here as above, 8, 9, means right. Have we not the right to eat and drink ? This, taken by itself, might mean, ' Have we not the same right that others have as to meats and drinks? All distinctions on this subject are abolished as much for us as for others. Are we not free ? ' The context shows, however, clearly that such is not the apostle's meaning. The right in question is that which he goes on to establish. It is the right to abstain from working, and of being supported by the church. Having proved his apostleship, he proves his right to be supported, and then shows that he had not availed himself of that right. He could, therefore, with the greater freedom urge the Corinthians to forego their right to eat of things offered to idols for the sake of their weaker brethren.