declare his innocence with respect to the things that were laid to his charge. But fearing that, in doing this, he might appear to cast a reflection indiscrimi- nately on the whole body, he adds, with exquisite tenderness and affection, that, so far from intending to condemn them all, he was wilhng, if his other duties would admit of it, to live and die among them.
In order to promote in all this amiable disposition, we shall consider,
I. The grounds of the Apostle's love —
St. Paul felt a love towards the wliole human race : but he was filled with a pecuhar affection towards the Corinthians on account of,
1. Their relation to God —
[The Apostle had reason to believe that the Corinthians, notwithstanding some great evils which obtained among them% were truly converted to God; and that the greater part of them were very eminent Christians''.
This was a just ground for loving them. Indeed, if he had not been penetrated with an unfeigned regard for them, he would have had no evidence of his own love to God : for " he who loveth him that begat, must love those who are begotten of him '^."]
2. Their relation to himself —
[Having been, in God's hand, the instrument of their conversion, he stood related to them as their spiritual father^. Now, as a peculiar affection subsists between those who bear this relation according to the flesh, so it is reasonable that there should be a mutual regard between those also who are thus united in the bonds of the Spirit. Doubtless the Apostle did not confine his regards to these®: but, having " travailed in birth with them," he felt all the anxieties and affections of a parent towards them.]
The fervour of his love will appear from,
II. The way in which he manifested it — We may notice in the context,
1. His affectionate remembrance of them —
* 1 Cor. i. 11. and iii. 1 — 4. and v. 1,2. and vi. 5 — 8. and viii. 9 — 12. and xi. 18 — 22. and xiv. 26.
i> 1 Cor. i, 5—7. and 2 Cor. viii. 7. <= 1 John v. 1.
^ 1 Cor. iv, 15. and 2 Cor. xii. 14. with Acts xviii. 1 — 18. e Col. ii. 1.
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