228 II. CORINTHIANS 10.

great, supreme, all-comprehending gift, which is here intend- ed. This is the more natural, because it is Paul's wont, when speaking either of the feeble love, or trivial gifts of believers, one to another, to refer in contrast to the infinite love and unspeakable gift of God m Christ to us. 8, 9. Eph. 5, 1. It is his habit also to introduce ejaculations of adoration or thanks- giving into the midst, or at the close of his teachings or ex- hortations. Rom. 1, 25. 9, 5. 1 Cor. 15, 17. 1 Tim. 1, 17. The passage, therefore, ought to stand, as we doubt not the vast majority of the readers of the Bible understand it, as an out- burst of gratitude to God for the gift of liis Son.