The Pulpit Commentary — 2 Corinthians — Section 100

ing, we may look at in the light of mod.em physiology, St. Paul is no teacher of physiology or of science in any form., but he mentions facts, which we can interpret by aid_ o~ recent scien".8. What, then, do_ we ~now of d~y as _a bodily law? We know it lS a law co-existent and co-operative with our physical life. It sets in early, goes on continuously, and ends only when the body diei,. It is a successicm of decays. Viewed in this light, decay is a function of activity or a sequel to activity, and accord- ingly, a conditi()'TI, of renewal. Exercise the arm like a blacksmith, and it rapidly wastes matter. Exercise the brain as a student, and certain constituents are constantly thrown off and expelled from the system. Yet, in all this, there is reproduction and even growth. The decay has an order ; it proceeds from the less serviceable to the more useful functions. Early in life, animal sensations are in excess. The outer world floods the young senses, and no image is painted on the brain that is not a copy of something external But this abates. It lessens by providential law. The spirits decline in boisterousness; perceptions are not so vivid; reflectiveness increases; and the pulse is more of a pulse of thought, will, emotion. What we can spare best is the first to decay. Long before eye and ear show signs of failing other organs begin to adver- tise their decline. And henee the decay proceeds e.s to time and method in such a form. as to anawer the ends of the body in its relation to the soul. Seldom are there violent changes. No great revolutions oecur. Little by little the alterations go on, so that the mind is insensibly accommodated to them. Agreeably to this law, decay con- tributes till late in life to the development of the mind. Not until decay bas accomplished higher ends does it tend towards dissolution. Gently, indeed, the hand of tho Father touches the frail tenement, here a nerve and there a muscle, so as to make it less a body for the earth and more a body for the soul. Physiologically, therefore, there is a basis for St. Paul's theology of the body. Now, physiolo~sts may say, as some of them have said, that their science has nothing to do with religion, and, forsooth, this in one sense may be true. But it is certain that Christianity has a good deal to do with their science. Nor, indeed, have we to look further than the text for proof of the fact that, while St. Paul was doing nothing more than unfolding the glory of the gt>spel, one or mor., of the rays of that splendour shone on facts which science is only just now beginning to under- stand. But the inner man, what of him? "Renewed day by day." We have seen that Providenee uses decay for restoration and even enhancement of power, and moreover, not until physical development has attained its ma.a;imum in respect to mind, does it happen that decay operates towards dissolution. Outward and inward-both tho man, as we have said-and yet the differencing adjectives are very expressive, Look o.t the outside of a tree, the rough bark adapted to the bard usages of wind and weather, ancl fitted to enclose and protect the fibre and circulating sap. So of the body. It is o. sheath to the soul, preserving its freedom from beiog overpowered by the outwo.rd worlJ. and gue.rnnteeing self-direction to its activity. More than this, body is a developing instrumentality of mind, and, in this respect, fulfils the special purpose of Providence. Nevertheless, the soul he.a its own prerogatives. It is God's image, and, WI such, witnesses to its own nature as infinitely different from matter. Wo e11ll it soul becnuso it is perfectly unlike body. We call it spirit because "God is a Spirit." Such words WI body, soul, spirit, stand alone and contain the truth of all truths. Now, the apostle urges this contrast; body decays and dies, spirit under the influonee of the Holy Ghost is renewed daily. Spirit has a capacity for interminable growth. Day by day, o. clearer knowledge of itself, a keener penetmtion of consciousness, a decpor sense of sinfulness in its nature, and, Anomalonsly enough, while gaining a victory more and more ovor pa,·- ticular sins, having 110 acuter conviction of inbred sin. Day by day, tho worlcl fnllinp; away from its senses, and yet, amid the decay of sensuousness, n continual nsccnsion o( delight and gladness as the spirit loses its hold on merely resthetic beauty and enter" more fully into moral beauty, so that, while the body becomes more and more tho "temple of the Holy Ghost," the earth grows into a sanctuary of God, whoro tbo hours fail not to observe their ritual of worship and the air is nover so hushed as not to breatho praise to God. Day by day 1 Ah I are there not idle days, apparently useless days, even days when prayer and holy service seem a burden? Doubtless; but wo must not con- clude that these se11SOns are altogether unprofHable. If we ore learning nothi_ng else, we are leoming bow weak and impotent we are, and how unreliahlo ore our constlt~tlon r.n<l habits except we have daily renewing grace. God leavee us to ourselves eomctunes, that 100 THE SECOND EPISTLE TO THE CORINTHIANS. [cu. Iv, 1-18.