The Pulpit Commentary — 2 Corinthians — Section 74

reasonable to believe, whe.t we find to be the ce.se, that that which displaces e.nd Sllper- eedes what was good is itself preferable and more excellent. _ II. THE SPIRIT IS BETTER TH.AN THE LETTER. yet .. the letter" was adapted to the childhood of the race, and was indeed necessary for the communicatJion of the spiritual lesson to be conveyed from heaven. But Christianity cannot be compressed into any document; it is itself a spirit, unseen and inta.ngible, but felt to be mighty and pervasive. • Ill. RIGHTEOUSNESS IS BETTER TH.AN CONDEMNATION. The old covenant abounded in prohibitions and in threats of punishment. The Law, when broken, as it incessantly was broken, is a sentence of condemnation to ell who are placed under it. But it is the distinctive hononr of Christianity that it brings in a new, a higher, an everlasting righteousness. It has thus more efficacy than the most faultless law of rectitude, for it supplies the motive and the power· of true obedience. IV. LIFE IS BETTER TRAN DEATH. "The soul that sinneth, it shall die "-such is the import of the old covenant, which thus ministered death to those who were under it. "The gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord "-such is the evangel of the new covenant to mankind. Death is the emblem of ell that is dark, dreary, and repulsive; life is fraught with brightness, beauty, joy, and progress. Woll might the apostle rise to fervid eloquence when depicting the incomparable morel excellence and beauty of the covenant of Divine grace. And justly might he deem his office one of highest hononr and happiness, as bringing salvation and a blessed immor- tality to the lost and dying sons of men. V. ETEBYAL GLORY IB BETTER THAN TRANSITORY AND PERISIIABLE SPLENDOUR. There was a glory in the scene and circumstances amid which the Law was given; there was a glory in that code of piety and rectitude which was then conferred upon the chosen nation; there was a glory in the illumined countenance of the great lawgiver when he came down from the mount. But this glory was for a seaYOn, and indeeu it almost lost its title to be 11poken of as glory, by reason of the glory that excelloth. The ministration of the Spirit, of righteousness, that which remaineth, this is encom- pwised with a halo, an aureole, of spiritual and heavenly splendour which shall brighten until it merges in the ineffable glory of eternity.-T. Vera. 15, 16.-The wil. The historical incident in this passage mn.kes way for the allegorical representation. When Moses ea.me down from the mount he veiled his face that the people might not see his features and might not witness the fading of his celestial glory. And Paul affirms that a similar veil conceals the countenance of the great prophet o.nd lawgiver when his writings are publicly read in the hearing of his countrymen. In many ways the Pentateuch is o. witneBB to tho Messiah, even Jesus. llut over the Pentateuch, o.s read, there rests o. veil which hinders the Jews from pene- trating to the spiritual, the prophetic, meaning of the inspired writer. Moses testified of Christ; but to the unenlightened the writings of Moses prevent any perception, any vision, of the Divine Lord. A similar veil keeps many from apprehending the truth which is so near them. I. IN WHAT DOES THE VEIL coNBIST? Especially in prejudice and in unbelief. As the Israelites were so persuaded of the incomparable excellence of the Mosaic L11w tlmt they could not discern the higher revelation to which that Law was designed to leo.d, ao oftentimes men's minds a.re so preoccupied with their own notions of religion, of righteousness, etc., that they are not prepa1·ed to give heed to the Divine manifosto.tion and appenl. • II. WHAT DOES THE VEIL BIDE? The covering referred to in the coutoxt hid the face of the lawgiver; but the veil of error ancl of unbelief conceals tho countenance of Christ, the revelation of Divine attributes, puqJOses, and promises. What it would be most for our interests to behold we mo.y, by our sin and folly, obscure from our own view. Bee what we may, if we behold not the light of God's glory in the face of Jesus Christ we forfeit the highest privileges of which we e.re capable. III. How IS TBB VEIL BEHOVED? 1'he answer is very simple, "When it shall tum to the Lord." 1'hat is to 1ay, the obstacle to spiritual vision lies with ourselves and not with Heaven. Repentance, or the turning of the heart awny from sin, is the condition of true enlightenment. Whilst the mind is occupied with itself nnd its own i4 THE SECOND EPISTLE 'l.'0 'l'HE CORINTHI.A.NS. [cu. m. 1-18.