The Pulpit Commentary — 2 Corinthians — Section 128

Vers. 11-21.-Person and ministry of the aposlle further considered ; his work as a; ambassador. How was he coaducting this ministry, -0f which he had spoken so much an<l had yet more to say? It was in full view of account.ability to the day of judgment. "Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men," adding motives to affect them, and not remaining content with arguments to convince their understandings. And in this work he now felt God's approval; before he had declared, "we are confi- dent," and he reaffirms it in the words, "we are made manifest unto God." Every hour he stood at the bar of his conscience an acquitted man, and this conscience was a manirestation of God. Honestly was he striving to plea.qe God, as hon·estly labourin" to save them, and in this spirit he was ever seeking to manifest himself to their con~ sciences. If he were a temporizer, a man-pleaser, he might adopt worldly arts and captivate them. No; he would address their consciences; the best in them should come to his side or he must lose them. " Savour of life unto life" or "savour of death unto death;" no other alternative. Bnt do not misunderstand us. Commendation is not our object. If we have, as we trust, manifested ourselves to your consciences, then let your consciences speak in our behalf, and let their voices boast in this-that we are truthful in the sight of God and man. This is the way to answer our enemies w:ho "glory in appearance and not in heart." Suffer he would rather than be wrongly vindicated. Do it in the highest way or not at all "Your cause "is the great interest. No doubt we seem" beside ourselves," or we may appear" sober," but you may boast of this-" it is for your cause." And in this devotion to your well-being what motive presses with weight enongh to make us endure all things for your sakes? " The love of Christ constraineth us." And wherein is this fove so signally demonstrated as to embody and set forth all else that he did? It is love in death. Look~ng at this Divine death, we form this jndgment or reach this conclusion, that he " died for all" because "all were dead-" dead under the Law of God, dead in trespasses and.sins, dead legally, morally, spiritually. Nothin& less than su_ch a°: atoning ~e.ath for all men-so it seems to us the apostle meant--couJd exert on him this constrammg mfluence. And how should this influence operate? "They which live should not henceforth live unto themselves." The very self had been redeemed by Christ's vicarious death; body, soul, and spirit had been bought with a price, and the price was Christ's blood; anJ with such a constraining motive, the most potent that the Holy Ghost could J..ring to bear on the human mind, how could men live unto themselves? If, indeed, the constraining power ha.d itl! legitimate eJfect, only one life could result, a life consecrated to "him which died for them and rose again.' If, therefore, all being dead, one died for all, that all might live in freedom from selfishness and be the servants of him who had redeemed them from sin and death, we can know henceforth no man after the flesh. The very purpose of Christ's death was that the fleshly life of sin might pass out of ,-jew (might be covered over ~d thus disappear from siyht), aud another life be entered uH, v.1-21.] THE SECOND EPIS'J!'LE TO THE CORINTHIANS. 129