The Pulpit Commentary — 2 Corinthians — Section 24

should be associated with his Master or with the doctrines or the gospel. He passes rapidly from a defence of himself to defend that which is of so much more importance. Well would it be if we were equally jealollS of the honour of Christ, equally anxious that thrqugh us no shadow should fall upon his glory. Christ is unchangeable as (1) a Saviour, (2) a Teacher, (3) an Example, (4) an Advocate, (5) a Master, (6) a Friend. II. THE UNOHANGEABLENESS OF GoD. Illustrated by the fulfilment of Divine promises in Christ (ver. 20). Not one jot or tittle has fallen to the ground. In Christ is the "yea. "-the affirmation, the accomplishment of Divine promise. True believers acknowledge this ; "through him is the Amen" (ver. 20, new version) ; they say ".'Amen" to the Divine faithfulness which they see so strikingly iilustrated in Christ. This is " to the glory o( God." The glory of bis character is proclaimed. God is not inconstant. A promise made by him is, to all intents and purposes, a promise fulfilled. This unchangeableness applies to all Divine dealing. Threat will as certainly be fulfilled as promise. Many believe in the semi-unchangeableness of God. They think he will fulfil all that they wish to be fulfilled, and kindly dispense with the remainder. They malre their own god, as the heathen do. III. THE UNCHANGEAllLENESS OF CHRISTIAN DOCTRINE. Christian doctrine is certain, definite, abiding. It is not "yea" to-day and "nay" to-morrow (ver. 18). As there is no change in Christ, there is no room for change in statements respecting him. The apostle was assured that what he promulgated was the truth about the Truth. To change from that would have been to embrace error. If we change our utterances concerning the Saviour, we are justified only in so far as our prior statement was erroneous. The" old gospel" is the gospel for all new times. In Christianity the trues; progress is to go back-to go back to what God himself revealed. As we do that, "more light will break from God's Word." But note, it will break/rom God's Word, not from the poor constellations of human wisdom. There, in the Word, we have the doctrine, which, like him in whom it centres, is" the same yesterday, and to-day, and for ever." Thero is no development in Christian doctrine as the ages roll on. There may be much development in our knowledge of it. The same doctrine is to come from the lips of all preachers at all times. The doctrine preached by Paul was preached also by Silvanus and Timothy (ver. 19). IV. THE UNCIIANGEABLENESS OF THE TRUE BELIEVER. This is relative, not abso- lute. But in proportion as we resemble Christ we shall become unchangeable- unchangeable in principle, in bent of mind, in love of holiness, in life-purpose, etc. We are not to be ficklo, but steadfast. Men are to find us ever the same in loyalty to Christ, in devotion to his service. Paul was cho.rged with lightness, instability of purpose (ver. 17); but it was a false charge. He altered hi~ movements that he might not be altered himself. The same principles which led him to form his plans led him to cbo.nge them. Change in them was evidence of unchangeo.bleness in him. Incon- stancy and inconsistency were grievous charges in apostolic eyes.-H. Vers. 21, 22.-Four privi1eges of the believer. I. 'l'o BE ESTABLISIIED IN CmtIST. Brought into ever closer union with him. More and more firmly settled in faith. Increased in knowledge of him and of his doctrine. Made constant to Christ. Deve- loped in likeness to him. Perfected increasingly along all the lines of Christian character. A work continuous; so Paul uses the present tense. '1.'he Christio.n's course is like that or the shining light, which shineth more and more unto the perfect day. Not all at once is he at bis best. The seed of the kingdom takes time to develop. The points of contact at first may be few; but we are to be established " into" Christ. Believers 1hould seek closest association with their Lord. True self-interest docs not prompt tho question-How for may we safely keep from Christ? but-How nenr to him may we draw? "Abide in me . . . if o. man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a bro.nch, and is withered" (John xv. 4-6). II. To BE ANOINTED. The believer is made like his Lord. Christ was the Anointed ; BO therefore is the believer anointed. Christ was the Anointed of God ; so by God is the believer also anointed. ~Christ was anointed as King and great High Priest; so as king and priest is the believer anointed-" a royal priesthood" (1 Pet. ii. 9). Christ was anointed for a special life and a special work; BO is the believer. It is not for nought that we receive our anointing from the Holy One (1 John ii. 20). We are. consecrated,  24 THE SECOND EPISTLE TO THE CORINTHIANS. [ou. 1. 1-24.