(4) The figure of ' the foundation ' is used in an unusual form (condensed metaphor) in 1 Ti 6'^ : dwodrjcravpl^ovTas eavroh defxiXiov KaXbv eis rh niWov, ' laying up in store for themselves a good founda- tion against the time to come ' (cf. Sir 1^^ : Kal heto. dvOpiinrcov Ge/x^Xiov alQvoz ivbaaevae, 'and with men slie [Wisdom] built a foundation of everlasting- ness '). The somewhat involved metaphor is per- haps due to a reminiscence of our Lord's Parable (Lk 16«), but specially of Mt &-^ where the verb is the same and also the duty enjoined : d-qaavpL^ere 5k iificp 6r](rcLvpovs iv ovpavi^, ' lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven.' Bengel {Gnom., in loc.) with a happy illustration gives the sense ' Mercator naufragio salvus, thesauros domum praemissos invenit.' Cheyne (loc. cit.) favours the emenda- tion/cet/xr^Xto;/, 'gift' or ' valued memorial,' which straightens out the metaphor but at the expense of the text. If there were any authority for the reading, one might agree that this 'must surely be right.'
(5) In 2 Ti 2^^ 6 /xhroi. crepebs OefiiXios tov deod 'iarriKev, ' Howbeit the firm foundation of God standeth' (RV), the Church itself is described as the foundation of a still greater building — 'the holy temple in the Lord in whom ye also are builded together for a habitation of God in the Spirit'
(Eph 221-22). .-The term "foundation," here used for the Church of God on earth, is remarkable, and points to a great truth : that, after all, this life is but a beginning, and that "His Church" here is but a foundation — is only the first and early storey of that glorious Church the Divine Architect has planned, and will complete in heaven ' (Ellicott, in loc; cf. also He IP"). This 'foundation,' in re- miniscence of ancient custom as to foundation- stones, bears a two-fold inscription, expressing both its origin and purpose : ' The Lord knoweth them that are his ' (' the Lord will show who are his, and who is holy' [Nu 16^]) and 'let every one that nameth the name of the Lord depart from unrighteousness. '
(6) In He 6^ there occurs the warning jxt) irdXiv df^iXiov KaTa^aWd/xevoi, ' not laying again (and again) a foixndation.' The meaning is apparent from the opening words of the chapter : ' wherefore let us cease to speak of the first principles of Christ, and press on unto perfection (full growth).' ' Let us be borne on to perfection ' in ' personal surrender to an active influence' (Westcott, Hebrews, 1892, p. 143). The subject is the duty of progress, and the contrast is between the elementary (v-^ttlos [5"]) and the full grown (riXeios) in the Christian life. The ditt'erent elements that constitute the founda- tion, which is not to be laid again, are three, taken in pairs : (i) personal attitudes of heart and mind : repentance from dead works and faith toward God ; (ii) church ordinances : baptism and laying on of hands ; (iii) leading beliefs : resurrection and judg- ment. These are to be accepted once for all — they are the foundation. In the subjects alluded to as foundation facts there is perhaps a reference to some well-known formula for the instruction of the catechumen ; perhaps the allusion is to the usual evangelistic presentation of the gospel. ' The phrase imi)lies that certain things have been done and certain teacliing has been given to the readers at the outset of their Christian life as a basis on which more advanced teaching may be built ' (A. S. Peake, 'Hebrews' in Century Bible, 1902, p. 141). But such a foundation needs to be laid only once, and the use of it is for subsequent building ; therefore progress not only in knowledge, but towards the full maturity of Chiistian character, is incumbent on all believers.
He 6^ has, it may be feared, been but a counsel of perfection in certain church circles, while ' to preach the gospel ' has often meant a formal and dry presentation of a few elementary truths, that by wearisome repetition have had all their fresh- ness rubbed away. Yet this has been called 'dwell- ing on fundamentals.' But we do not dwell on a foundation ; we build upon it. Many modern evangelistic efforts split upon this rock, and the falling away of professed converts has often arisen from the refusal of them or their spiritual guides ' to have done with the elementary doctrines and to go on towards full growth,' The complaint is sometimes heard that the first fresh and joyful emotions are so soon lost ; and to revive and re- cover these, men are tempted, or invited, to go back in thought and desire to some former visitation of the Spirit. But the remedy is not back, but for- ward. We cannot recover the emotions that are behind, but we can have other emotions and more joyful experiences new-born, by going forward to explore more deeply the great things of God. There- fore the Apostle says : let us surrender ourselves to the influence which will carry us on. ' The influ- ence and the surrender are continuous (4>epd)/jLeda) and not concentrated in one momentary crisis' (Westcott, op. cit. p. 143).
Literature. — In addition to the works cited throughout the article, reference may be made to W. N. Clarke, What shall we think of Christianity ? 1S99, pp. 56-105 ; Phillips Brooks,