llberty to disregard or despise; it is an effectual ministry, for those who discharge it faithfully are unto many the "savour of life unto life."-T. Ver. 20.-" .Ambassadors/or Ohrist." Even among the members of the Corinthian Church there were those who had offended the Lord by their inconsistency and who needed to be reconciled. How much more was and is this true of mankind at large ! There is no denying the need of a gospel and of a ministry of reconciliation. I. WHO AilE CnnlBT's AMBASSADORS? Probably the language is most justly applicable to the apostles only, inasmuch ae their commission and credentials were altogether special. An ambassador owes his importance, not to himself, but to the power he represents, the message he bears. The preachers of Christ are all heralds, if they cannot be designated ambaBSadors. They may learn hence the dignity of their office and their personal unworthiness and insufficiency, BIid they may be admonished as to the imperative duty of fidelity. II. BY WHAT COURT AllE THESE All,[8A8SAD0BS COMMISSIONED? They are the ministers of the King of heaven, and their authority is that of the King's Son. Thus their mission is one entrusted by a superior power and authority ; and not only so, it is from an offended and outraged power. This appears when we consider- III. To WHOM THESE AMBASSADORS ABE BENT. Properly speaking, an ambassador is one accredited to a power sovereign and equal to that from whom he comes. But in this case the resemblance fails in this respect, inasmuch as the ministers of the gospel address themselves to offenders, to rebels, to those who cannot treat with Heaven upon equal terms, or any terms of right. IV. WHOSE sunsTITUTES ARE THESE AMBABSADOBS? They act "on Christ's behalf," "in Christ's stead." The Lord himself first came npon an embassage of mercy. He has entrusted to his apostles, and in a sense to all his ministers, the office and trnst of acting as his representatives,:in so far as they publish the declaration and offer of Divine mercy. V. WHAT IB TllE OOMMISSION WHICH THESE AMBASSADORS ABE BENT TO EXECUTE? It is an office of mercy. Their duty is to publish the tidings of redemption, the offer of pardon, and themselves to urge and to entreat men that they accept the gospel and thus enjoy the blessings of reconciliation with God.-T.
Vers. 1-9.-17ie two bodies of the saint. I. THE BODY THAT NOW 1s. 1. Frail. 2. Perishing. 3. Often a burden. 4. Frequently a temptation. 5. Not helpful to spiritual life. 6. Subject to many pains. 7. Debased. IT. THE BODY THAT SHALL BE. 1. Eternal. (Ver. 1.) Having Do tendencies towards decay, no marks of coming death. A body of life. Stamped with the eternalness of God. 2. Heavenly. (Ver. 1.) The first body is of the earth, earthy; the second body is spiritual and heavenly in origin and character. Capable of heavenly joys. Fitted for heavenly service. Free from earthly weaknesses, pains, and soil 3. From God. (Ver. 1.) The present body is this in a certain sense, but it has passed through the hands of the devil. The resurrection-body shall be of God and only of God, his unmarred workmanship. It shall be like the glorified body united to Deity in the 1ierson of Jesus Christ: "Who shall fashion anew the body of our humiliation, that it may be conformed to the body of his glory" (Phil. iii. 21). Ill. THE SAINT'S CONDITION WHILST IN TllE EARTHLY BODY, Frequently a condition of sorrnw. "We that are in this tabernacle do groan, being burdened" (ver. 4). There are (1) the ordinary afilictions which befall mankind; (2) the special chastisements of God inflicted for the saint's welfare, but still painful; (3) the sense of living in a strange country, not in his own-uncongenial surroundings; (4) struggles against temptations: the presence and power of hated sin. IV. THE SAINT'S ASSURANCE OF THE HEAVENLY BODY. 1. Revelatim. 2. Preparation. "He that wrought us for this very thing" ( ver. 6). 3. The Spirit's witness. We ha,e the" earnest" of the Spirit, which is a pledge of the fulness of the Spirit (ver. 5). In the next lifo we shall be dominated by the Spirit; shall have a spiritual body---one pervaded by the Spirit. The_ apostle's confidence is strong ; he says, " ,v e know ; ~ there was no uncerlainty about the matter. V. 'l'llE SAINT'S LONGING FOR THE HEAVENLY BODY, The desire is very intellSll 182 THE SEOOND EPISTLE l'O THE CORINTHIANS. [oH. v.1-21.