The Pulpit Commentary — 2 Corinthians — Section 103

3. Christ as a Mediator,complete in all the qualifications needed to discharge the duties of all the offices he sustains. 4. Christ as a livi119 Person-One who has not ceBSed to interest himself in men because he is no longer among them in bodily form; but One who, as represented in the Apocalypse, is living with and for those whom he died to save. APPLICATION. There is danger lest those who accept this view of the apostle should be content with the mere reiteration of Christ's name. Be it remembered that Christ should be preached as to the intelligence and to the heart of men.-T. Ver. 6.-The light of spirit'IJ,Q,1, knowkdge. Nature is a parable by means of which the Creator and Lord of all is ever teaching us concerning himself and his will. All the vast forces and sublime objects of nature have their spiritual analogues. So is it as appeaI'!I from this passage, with light, which typifies the truth, the gospel of God. We learn- !. WHENCE THE LIGHT com:s. Physical light comes from the sun, and the sun was kindled by the Creator. He said, " Let there be light, and there was light." So all intellectual and moral light is from the Father of lights. He is light, and in him is no darkness. "He clotheth himself with light as with a garment." Our souls :find their full enlightt,nment and satisfaction in the revelation of bis mind, which is as the rising of the sun upon our benighted nature. II. WHAT THE LIGHT IB. In the apostle's view this is "the knowledge of the glory of God." If this be so, God is not the Unknown, the Unknowable. The glory of the Eternal is not so much in his power and wisdom as in his moral attributes, his holiness, and love. The revelation of the Divine character is as light to his intelligent creation. It is welcome, cheering, illuminating, reviving. ill. WHERE THE LIGHT smNEs. "In the face of Jesus Christ." In our Lord's resurrection this light shone visibly from his face, as it had done on the occasion of .his transfiguration. But really and spiritually it is always streaming forth; for Christ is himself the "Emanation of his Father's glory." Behold his face when teaching: the light of Divine knowledge is upon it. When pitying and healing the sufferer, the light of Divine compassion and love is there. When patiently enduring insult, upon it rests the lustre of majestic sweetness. When dying on the cross, the light of sacrificial victory is kindled on the features. When uttering his royal commands from heaven's throne, "his countenance is as the sun shineth in his strength." IV. WHITHER THE LIGHT PENETRATES. "Into your hearts," says the apostle. As the sunbeams only awaken the sensation of light when they fall upon a receptive and sensitive eye, so the revelation of God's character implies a receptive and responsivP heart. Though light ever shines from Christ, multitudes have no benefit or enjoyment from it. When the heart turns like the sunflower to the light, then the day dawns within, and the whole spiritual nature comes to bask in the light of God. V. WHY THE LIGHT SHINES. In answer to this may be summed up the whole spiritual purpose and significance of the Christian revelation, 1. That we may perceive it. It is, alas! possible to hide from the light at noonday. But those who welcome the heavenly light rejoice in it, are guided by it, and know its power to inspire hope eternal. 2. That we may wall~ in it. "Walk ye in the light of the Lord;" "Walk in the light while ye have the light." For God's truth is profitable to all men, having the faculty of directing those who will be led by it into paths of wisdom, peace, and life. 3. That we may reflect it. The light of God is not absorbed by the soul that receives it. It is shed upon those who are around. Christians are" tho light of the world "-11re "light--bearers,'' through whose agency the earth is to be filled with the nu..liance of spiritual and immortal noon.-T. Ver. 7.-Spiritual treasure. In this Epistle Paul spee.ks more frankly and warmly 1Lan in any other of his compositions of the ministry which was the work of bis life. It is observable, however, that, in treating of this ministry, whilst he uses the most lionourable terms in cbaractcrizing the office, he displays the utmost humility in whe.t he says of him.self. I. PRICELEBB TREASURE, 1. What it ls. It is" the light of tho knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ." It iii the truth which Paul declared, the Oll, 1v. 1-18.J THE SECOND EPIS'l'LE TO 'l'HE CORlN'l'BlANS. 103