The Pulpit Commentary — 2 Corinthians — Section 82

Most apparent was the killing power of the Jett.er in that generation of Hebrews to which Pan! himself belonged. They gloried in circumcision, but had it in the flesh only, and not in the heart. They sought life by the law of works, and fell under its condemnation. The more devoted they were to religious peculiarities and ceremonial restrictions, the more did a shadow of death cover them. 'l'hey clung to the types and would not recognize the Antitype. They trusted to a covenant which had exhausted its use and was passing away. So this letter-worship destroyed spiritual life. Israel after the flesh fell under a ministration of death. On the other hand, in that new dis- pensation, of which St. Paul was such an earnest minister, and in which spirit predomi- nates, there is abundance of the grace of life. 'l.'rue that, under this dispensation also, a formalist or one who is self-righteous may turn the life into death. Externalism and traditionalism are as powerless as ever to make alive. But, when the letter which in some manner is indispensable to mortal worshippers is kept in due subordination, the spirit gives life, and the ministration of righteousness is exceeding glorious. And the Lord is that Spirit. The Lord is the Life-giver and the Life. HI. LIGHT OAST BY THIS STATEMENT ON SUNDRY QUESTIONS. 1. On the interpretation and use of certain precepts and usages mentioned in Scripture. Reverence for antiquity is good, is in some degree essential to historical Christianity; but there is a pedantry about the forms of things which is unintelligent and unspiritual. To correct this wo must always distinguish between letter and spirit, and bear in mind thnt, in the long course of time and in altered conditions of society, there not only may be but must bo circumstantial changes of form and expression in order to the conservation of ~pirit and truth. Apply this to (1) the precept of turning the cheek to the smiter; (2) that of washing one :mother's feet; (3) the forbiddal of lawsuits between Christians; ( 4) tho salutation with a holy kiss. 2. On the corn1ptions of Christianit.y. Some harm, no doubt, has been done by the endeavour to abstract the spirit of the gospel too ranch from its letter, and to dispense altogether with definite forms of doctrine and service. But a greater danger has shown itself on the opposite side. The most formidable corrup- tions of Christianity have resulted from magnifying letter over spirit., and giving to our religion an imposing exterior while its heart fainted and all but perished. 'l'he great bane of the Church has been in the direction of exaggerated ceremoninl and tyrnnnicl\l insistence on outward usage and form. 3. On the propagl\tion of the i:ospel. 'l'he old dispensation was not intendt.>d for world-wide diffusion ; but the new has a go~pol for all nations, and is meant to live in every climate and among all the tribes and races of mankind. But of its ever reaching its oonsummation we should despl\ir if it wcro a religion of unbending, unelastic literalism, nn<l committed itself to the nll\intennnco of dry and rigid forms. We take courage when we remember thnt "the kingdom of God is not in wonl, bnt in power;" that the emphasis in Christianity lies on its active, spiri- tual, penetrating force; and that tho Lord himself" is that Spirit." We do not set Christian form against heathen form, but preach Christ Jesus tho Lord. Tho letter and the ritual will appear quickly enough, and may be expected to vary in o. Church of all nations. What we should bo most concerned about is the world-wide proclnml\tion of him in whom all nations of the earth are to be blosscd.-F. Ver. 18.-The Christian transfiguration. When Moses, the minister of tho Lnw, communed with God, his countenance became irradintcd, nnd, on his roturn to tho people of Israel in the camp, he was obliged to put o. veil over his fuco. But that radiance did not lnst long. It fnded from the prophet's countenance ; and thi~ i~ tl\kon to illustrate the passing away of the glory of all that legal ministration. 'l'he Jows who rejected that gospel which St. Paul preached were still occupied with the Law. Moses stood before them still ; and, when Moses was road, they failed to see that tho lustre had faded from his face. Yet it was so. ~ot that the Law W88 at fault or obscure; not that Moses misled or clouded their minO..'- 'l'he veil was no more on his face, but on their hearts; and so they persisted, and th& bulk of that nation still persist, in trusting to Moses and rejecting the more glorio118 ministration by Jesus Christ. 'l'ho anti- Christian Jews are dimly reading the words c,t their lawgiver instead of rejoicing in tho light of the Lord. But" we all," whether Jews or Gentiles in tho flesh, who havo believed the gospel, enjoy a ministration of righteousness and glory. L THE GLORY OP THE Lonn. Moses saia to Jehovah, "1 bciiecch thco, show me thy U. OOBINTWANS, 0 82 THE SECOND EPISTLE TO 'l'HE COIUNTHIANS. [cu. m.1-18,