The Pulpit Commentary — 2 Corinthians — Section 31

statement is, "I declared unto you the testimony of God" (see 1 Cor. ii. 1-6). The object of St. Paul in thus refraining from any assertion of a ri,.ht to dictate was to build the faith of the Church, not on apostles, but on G-od . ., He would not say " Believe because we bid you, and whatever wo tell you." He was one of a ba!lll <·f witnesses to Jesus Christ the Lord; but, ouce those facts were believed with tho heart the disciples in every Church stoo,i for salvation on the same ground with the apostle: themselves, and had the same coufirmation of the truth by the Holy Spirit. III. LESSONS FOB THE MODERN MINISTRY OF THE \VoBD. For the propa"ation 0 of the gospel there must still b2 witnesses; for the edification and peace of the Qhurch there must be teachers, hP-lps, governments, overseers. But none of these have a ri,.ht to "lord it over God's heritage;" least of all may they lord it over the faith of tl~eir brethren. If the apostles of the Lamb disclaimed such dominion, how mticli more should they who have ministries to fulfil in the modern Churches of God! It is preposterous to connect apostolic dignity or the glory of apostolic succession with pomp and lordliness and the assertion of ofilcial superiority. It is apostolic to serve diligently and suffer patiently, to preach the truth in love, and to teach the things which concern the Lord ~csus Christ, but seeking no_ honou~ or glo~y from men, 'fhe object of the ministry m regard to those who are without 1s to brrng them to repent and believe the "Ospd. The object in rcgarJ to those who are within the household of faith is to promot~ their joy and health. 1. "In faith ye staud." 'l'his is not submission to a human authority but allegiance of heart to God in Christ Jesus, In emotions, opinions, anxieties con~ jectures, there is no standing. Only by faith is the heart fixed, the mind estabiished in this world of change and disappointment, solidity imparted to the character, and calm courage breathed into the soul. Want of faith or decay of faith accounts for restlessness, weakness, rashness and inconstancy. The heart is "tossed and not comforted." The will is yielded to selfish desires and uneasy impulses. Dut " we have access by faith into the grace wherein we stand." 2. Those who minister to the faith of Christians increase their joy. The apostles were intent on this (see Rom. xv. 13; PhiL i. 25, 26; 1 Pet. i. 8; 1 John i. 4). And every true minister of Christ will find., with St. Paul, that his own spiritual life is bound up with the steadfastness and liveliness of those whom he instructs in the truth.-F. Ver. 1.-" By the will." In this assertion, "an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God,'' St. Paul briefly summarizes the claim to apostleship which he elsewhere 11rgt1es, a!id which he so earnest1y vindicates in a later portion of this Epistle. He c;mios the question to the final court of appeal, declaring that the. primal source :whcnco comes all call to office in the Christian Church is the "will of God." It matters not how tha~ "will" may be expressed; whether, as to the older disciples;'in the call of thoir l'lfastq to apostleship, or, as to St. Paul, by direct revelation from heaven. 'l'he only point of interest is this-Have sufficiimt signs of the Divine will concerning us been given to carry conviction to our minds? And what is the proper influence y,hich th_e recognition of the will of God concerning us should have as we hold and fulfil the duties of the office? Such a conviction is- L A MAN'S HUMILIATION. It makes him nothing ,and God all. It sets him down among the ministries that God may use a.s he ~vills. But it brings to him .a, holier humiliation than that. It bows him down under the greatness of the trust he bears, oppresses him with the honour that is laid upon him, makes him feel his helplessness and unworthiness, as may be illustrated in the hesitations and humble expressions of Moses and Jeremiah when they were called of God. The healthiest humility is that wrought by a great and solemn trust. IL A MAN'S INSPIDATION. It gives him an idea and an object in his life, It moves him with the power of a great purpose., It calls him to high endeavour. It w:i.kens into bright activity every faculty and power of his natnro. It urges him with tho sense of duty. It delivers him from the weakness that ever attends a conflict of motives. H holds out before him the reward of the faithful. III. A MAN'S STilENGTH. In the power of the conviction that he is where God would have him be, and is doiug what God would have him do, a man can overcome nnd dare all things. St. Paul's own endurances arc inconceivable save as we can feel th:i.t he had thiJ, strength. Especially illustrato from his wearying controversy with the Jewu,h cu. 1. 1-24.] THE SECOND EPISTLE TO THE CORINTHIANS. 31