we are to be assimilated to the image of our Lord and Master, Jesus Christ ^ ; and to be rendered meet for the service of God on earth, or the enjoyment of him in heaven ]
The Apostle's hopes of ultimately proceeding to regions beyond them, lead me yet fm'ther to notice,
II. The desires of a faithful minister, in reference to the whole world — A truly benevolent mind will extend its efforts as far as possible for the welfare of mankind : it would not willingly leave one to " perish, for whom Christ died." In diffusing the blessings of salvation to the whole world, the pious minister,
1. Will labour personally with all his might —
[A minister's first concern is, to instruct the people com- mitted to his charge : nor will the most enlarged philanthropy justify a neglect of his more appropriate duties. But, whilst it is his duty to pray, " Thy kingdom come," it is his duty to exert himself, according to his abilit}^, to extend that kingdom to the very ends of the earth. If by his own personal labours he can carry the Gospel to foreign lands, he will account it his highest honour to engage in that service : and, like the Apostle, will regard every advance which he makes, a step towards regions and services yet beyond. But if his proper labours be stationary, he will exert all his influence to accomplish, through the instrumentality of others, what he cannot effect by his own personal exertions ]
2. Will look for the concurrence and aid of all his people —
[St. Paul hoped that his Corinthian converts would unite in furthering, to the utmost of their power, his efforts for the benefit of others beyond them. It is possible enough that the partiality of some towards him might have made them desirous of enjoying his continued labours, even at the ex- pense of others whom he hoped to benefit. But such selfish wishes are decidedly wrong. We should be willing to make sacrifices for the good of others; and to "seek not our oivn profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved''." By such sacrifices the people do, in fact, concur in promoting and propagating the Gospel of the kingdom : and, if to these they add their pecuniary contributions and their prayers, for the furtherance of this good work, they are, in the truest and sublimest sense, " fellow-workers with God." To this, there-
^ 2 Cor. ill. 18. e 1 Cor. x. 33.