The Pulpit Commentary — 2 Corinthians — Section 104

gosp~l which he preached, the mys~ry which he unfolded, The promise of free pardon for sm, ~fa new l_a"! an~ pow~r for hfe, was what the apostles were privileged to convey to manktnd, This IS still, as 1t was then, the true wealth of the world which enriches the mind and heart of man. 2. Upon whose authority this "treasure,,' is so described. This is the highest authority, that of the Divine Christ, who desicrnates his gospel the "true riches," "the treasure hid in the field," "the pearl of great p~ice •" who reminds us of" treasure in heaven;" who tells us that "where our treasure is th:re will our heart be also;" who counsels to buy of him "gold tried in the furnace."' 3. What Diakes this treasure so valuable? It is unvaryingly satisfying: it is inexhaustible• it is enduring, and not like the " riches that ta.ke to themselves wings;" it is accessibl; to all, so that the poor in this world, having it. are "rich in faith." IL EARTBli:N VESSELS. 1. Explain the figure. As Eastern kinl!S stored their gold, silver, and jewels in earthen jars, so a plain casket may hold a costly jewel, n miry soil may yield a.n abundant crop, a battered ship may carry a precious freight, a lamp of clay may give a brilliant light, a mean book as to appearance may contain noble thoughts. So it is no objection against the gospel that those who preach it are in many respects unwort.hy of a.n office so dignified. 2. Exhibit its application. Christ was apparently a peasant, a carpenter's son; yet he was tho Son of God most high. The apostles were fishermen, toll-takers, tent-makers; yet they were the hernlds of salvation to mankind. The upper rooms where the early disciples met were not comparable to heathen temples, but they were scenes of Divine communion. Among those who frequented the a~scmblies where Christian ordinnuces were observed were not many noble or great, but there were inheritors of the kingdom of God. The npostlo Wl\.i deeply conscious of defects and weakness, was often distressed by humiliations nnd persecutions and contempt. His frail body, his fallible jndgment, his imperfect character, bis lowly and harassed condition, all contrasted with the prcoionsness of the gospel which was deposited in his heart and ministered by hie labours. If it wns so in the case of St. Paul, how much more manifestly was it so in tho case of those far less gHtcd and far more bnrdened with infirmity I Ill. DIVINE GREATNESS. To what purpose was this armn~ement which the npostle here describes? He himself gives the true reBSon. 1. 'l'hnt all Christian labourers nit\)' fool their littleness and their woakness. 2. That they mny recognize the exceeding greatness of the spiritual power of God. 3. That they may give Heavcu the glory, alike for what they receive and for what they impart.-'!', Vere. 17, 18.-D.vine discipline. In this patlletic and sublime pnss~go Paul revcnls to us his own spiritual experience. And the grant les:aon which he conveys for tho furlil"yiog of Christian faith and endumnoe, nnd for the iuspirntion of Christinn hope, co,nes home to the heart with tenfold power, because it is so m11nifcstly n losson which he himself is learning, through the stress of earthly sorrow and the lapse of ll\borious years. I. TIIE REV.EALBD PURPOSE OJ.I' DIVINE DIBOIPLINE. Thou~h oftontimes men foil to recognize the truth, there is in reality a purpose in human life, a purpose wise, bcno- ficcnt, Divine. 1. 'fhe meam: aflliction. By this is intcnde<l here what is entlnred in Christ's service; as, for example, by missionaries and evangelists, Yot in the cnso of tho true Christian affliction of every kind partakes of this character, 'l'he apostle snys ol' nfiliction that it is "light" in quality, and that it is" momentary" in tho limo of its inci,lence. This is evidently a matter of comparison; for it is only when compnrcJ. with tho "weight" and the" otemity" of glory that earthly affiiction can be dcnomi- nnted light and transitory. 2. The e-nd: glory, 'l'his is future; for tho prcsout stato is not churocterized by this quality, save as a stormy day may be divel'sificd hy rnys or lighL which break through the riven clouds. It ls Christ's glory, such ns that into which ho onlorod when he had accomplished his vicarious eutrurings. And, boin;; Huch, it is wdghty and eternal. II. 'l'nE CONDITIONS UPON WBICll TJIII: UHBIBTIAN PROFITS DY DIVINE DIRCIPLINE. In this passage God's part and ours are interwoven together. Wo can only receive tho advantage by submitting to and falling in with the intentions of God. It is not n m:\ttcr of course that the afflicted should be the better for their painful experience. 1. What is 888D, what is known by sense, wust be rei:ardcd and dealt with as of 10. THE SECOND El'IS'l'LE TO 'l'HE CORINTHIANS. [en. I\', 1.....16.