the gospel the opportunity to lay hold of Greece as a. whole. "The Lord had much people in the.t city." 'l'he two elements of difficulty evinced in the Epistles were thA Greek contentiousness, especially developed at Corinth, and the Hensual tendencies of a voluptuous, wealthy people. Hence the importance of the Jewish portion of the Corinthian Church. Orispus the ruler of the synagogue, and Titus Justus the prose- lyte, would both become important fellow-workers with Paul. Notice, therefore: 1. The union of the Jewish and Greek elements in the early Church and in the development of Christian life; seen in the union of fact 11.nd doctrine, of the practical and theoretic, especially in Paul e.nd his teaching (cf. the Epistles throughout). 2. 'l'he remarkable guide.nee of Providence. The opposition of the synagogue leading to a more deciciC<l ministry among the Gentiles ; and hence to the rapid spread of truth amoncr Greeks, and so through Europe. A merely Jewish religion would never have laid h~d of the Greek and Latin minds ; Christianity did. We may compare the influence of France during the Middle Ages and since the Reformation, in diffusing ide:is among surrounding nations. So we are taught that it is not by human agencies a\,_,ne that the victims of the gospel are won, but by innumerable instrumentalities and influences working with God's ministers. The conversion of the world may be much nearer than we suppose, Under the surface are hidden operations of God.-R. Vers. 12-17.-Contrasts in the attitude of men towards the gospel. I. LEGALIS~r. The whole idea of the opponents of Paul was his inconsistency with the Law. 1. It was not reverence for God's Law, but for men's traditions. 2. It was a. form of self-worship. "He followeth not with us." 3. It was moral pedantry, a. common sin; questions about words,'names, and law, hiding realities. II. SECULARITY. Gallio an amiable and wise man, but doubtless influenced by the prevailing Roman spirit, which was indifference to all religion. "Reason" was his guide. But, while he refused to be a party to religious persecution, he did not put forth his power, as he might have done, to maintain liberty of speech. III. HEATBENIBB IGNORANCE AND DISORDER, The gospel best prospers in the calm atmosphere of peace and reasonable thought. When we excite men's passions against one another, we hinder the cause of truth. Sosthenes, doubtless, was ringleader of the Jews, but the Greeks did no service to the gospel by beating him. Gallio's indifference to the gospel was probably increased by seeing it identified with disorder. The men of the world are not to be won by fanaticism.-R. Vars. 18-23.--.Retroapect. An interval in Paul's labours; how lon~ cannot be known. Probably e. needed rest; possibly connected with a vow. Employed in visiting Ephesus, sailing to Cresarea, his long fellowship with the Church there, repairing to Antioch and recounting his successes, for some time; and then revisiting the scene of his labours in Galatia and Phrygia. Thus it was a time of comparative bodily rest, of reflection and preparation for the future, and of confirmed intercourse and fellowship with brethren. Notice, therefore- !. THE EXAMPLE OF WISE METHOD IN CHRISTIAN WORK. 1. Mingle pauses of rest and thought with activity. 2. Revisit places where seed of truth has been scattered, both to watch the doctrine and strengthen the confidence of new converts. 3. Maintain brotherly sympathy with those labouring for the same Master, but in different ways and places. We should avoid mere individualism in Church life and evangelistic efforts. Paul constantly referred himself to Antioch, and never forgot that he had been recom- mended to the grace of God by his brethren. II. AN ILLUSTRATION OF PROVIDENTIAL APPOINTMENT IN THE LIVES OF G<JD'S PEOPLE. 1. 'l'he absences of Paul from his converts the occasions of his letters, so of his instruction to the universal Church. 2. Apollos made way for at Ephesus. His mission important. Possible necessity among th~ Ephesians of other elements besides the Pauline; hence both Apollos and, subsequently, the Apostle John. 3. 'l'he immense influence of Paul's personal narration of his successes at Antioch, and of his con- firmation of the disciples in the infant Churches of Asia Minor. " Man proposes, God disposes," wonderfully illustrated in the early history of Christianity.-R.
Yera, 24-28,-..dJIOllos. Alexandria's mission. Its broader view of Judaism. It.a 'l'HE AOTS OF TlIE APOSTLES. [ott, XVIlL 1-28,
intermediat.e position between Palestine and the Christian Church. Variety of human talent and acq~1ircmcnt all senicl'able to Christ. Hnmility of the truly good man, who, thongh h1m~el_f learned, is willing to be taught by those who have more of the grace of God. M1msters may get help from their people, Apollos in the footsteps of Paul. lie was no rival, but a fellow-labourer, Hence willingly forwarded in his proposal to visit Corinth, and carry on there the good beginning made by the apostle. .An example of: 1. Consecrat~d learning, 2. Rapid growth in grace, because the sririt. of the man was humble. 3. Brotherly co-operation. What a rebuke to later times 4. 'I'he blessing of God on a pure and active Christianity.-R.
Ver. 26.-Zeal without knowledge. "And he began to speak," etc. Tho truo know- ledge is not learning, not even knowledge of the Scriptures as a written Word, but knowledge of the way of 0-od. Priscilla and Aquila may know more, in this sense of knowledge, than Apollos. Spiritual things are spiiitually discerned. I. THOSE WHO PREACH AND T~:ACH SHOULD BE PREPARED FOR IT, 1. Much harm is done by zeal without true knowledge. 2, Progress cannot be rapid where knowledge is imperfect. 3. No amount of fervour in the spirit should be allowed to supersede a careful knowledge of the truth. Il. THE WAY OF Gun IS NOT THE WAY OF JOHN THE BAPTIST, BUT THE WAY OF CHRIST. 1. Many things about Jesus may be known, and still the saving t111th of spiritual life in him may be unknown. 2. Repentance preparatory to faith, not instead of it. 8. The way of God in Christ is not a reformed Judaism, but an entirely new method of religion; spiritual, not formal; by the law of love, not by the law of works. New wine in new bottles. Defective views of the gospel still prevalent. Morality substituted for faith, ritualism for spiritual religion. '!'he way of God is the way of a. new creation.-R.