HOMILIES BY VARIOUS AUTHORS. ,Vers.1-10.-Appeal growing out of thtJ foregoing argument. The grace of God had been manifested m the reconciliation of which he had been treatin" • and this reconciliation had its period, or season, special as to its character and ~dvanta"es. Everything has relaUon to time. Life has infancy, childhood, youth-successive e~as Nature has her. seasons. It was n_ow God's rec~iving-time, a dispensation of mercy, an acceptable time, a day of salvation. So sensible was St. Paul of this fact that he as a co-worker with God, pressed the exhortation on the Corinthians not to neglect th~ grace of God freely vouchsafed in this auspicious time. Good influences were con• spiring in their favour; "receive not the grace of God in vain." It was a co-workin"' period. .Out of the turmoil, the strife of tongues, the collisions within the Church and without, doctrines were emerging into clearer view, and, as doctrines were better under- stood, duties would be more faithfully discharged. Had not these Corinthians been revived and strengthened of late? Had they not heeded his affectionate warnings and purified the Church? It was a season for continued and enlarging co-working, the Holy Spirit and the Church combining in an effort, peculiarly desirable then, to extend Christ's kingdom. And what was he doing to this end? For his part he was studious to put no stumbling-block in the way of others, lest the ministry be reproached. That was the prudence which wards off evil. It has grave duties. It is vigilant, able to see the approach of danger and measure the extent of the peril. It is prompt to act in a precautionary manner. Yet this was only one part of a co-worker's duty. On the other hand, then, he was intent on commending himself to their confidence and affection, and by what means? The portraiture of St. Paul as a co-worker is now presented. Previously to this he had sketched himself (see eh. ii., iii., iv.) in certain specific relations, such for instance as an "able minister," and as one who carried his treasure in •an "earthen vessel;" but it was now his purpose to delineate himself and his experience with reference to a particular end. To be a co-operator, patience is the first virtue required. He speaks, therefore, at the outset, of "much patience," and assuredly he did not mistake the basic position of this great quality. He mention~ nine ·forms of suffering which have been regarded by some commentators as consti• tuting three classes, viz.: afflictions or general calamities, necessities, distresses, the leading· idea being pressure, or "narrow straits;" then stripes, imprisonments, tumults, referrable to the popular excitement against him as a preacher; and lastly, labours, watchings, fastings, as indicative of ministerial experience. In all these things patience was exercised, keeping him steadfast, enabling him to endure, and preserving his mind in the peace of Christ. It is a description of one whose body was open on all sides to 1
tbe invasions of pain as the infliction of opposition and malice; and again, of one whose mind had anxieties and sorrows originating in its own sense of responsibility. Body wrought upon mind, mind upon body. Unaer these conditions the co-worker had to proceed with his task-patience, " much patience,'' being the cardinal excel- lence of his character. But, further, the co-worker speaks of purity, knowledge, long- suffering, kindness, endowments of the Spirit, sincere love ; and again, be speaks of the word of truth, how he worked with God's power, and fought also with an armour of righteousness, right hand and left hand engaged in the conflict. Just here the mind of St. Paul reacts from its subjective state, the enumeration of his moral virtues is suspended, and the idea of conflict brings back the " afflictions" alluded to (ver. 4). Nearly all his transitions occur in one of two ways, either as the immediate product of a physical sensation or as the result of some exciting thought, having its source in his train of reflection. At the instant when the image of battle comes before him, the co-worker has the doctrine and morality of the gospel to defend against fierce, vindictive, mighty assailants. The honour of his position and the glory of Christ as the Captain of his salvation are at stake. Sword and shield are in hand, and for what ls he fiahting and how? "Armour of righteousness" is very expressive. The great truth ;'as present in his mJnd, foremost as a restraint as well as _an impulse, t~e truth so ably argued in the previous chapter that we are " made the righteousness of God _rn him." Give the ethical philosopher all the credit he deserves; honour the morahss who strives to protect society from immorality; and yet it is very obvious that a lll.W 152 THE SECOND EPISTLE TO THE CORINTHIANS. [oa. v1. 1-1B.
who feels him~el f set for the defence of the "righteousness of God" as manifested in Christ stands on ground infinitely higher than the mere philosopher e.nd moralist. 'l'his cannot be denied ; such a man he.s e. spirit, e. motive, an end far remote from the others, and p~culiar to ~he sphere.he_ fills. What the apostle fight; for is righteous- ,iess. And bow 1s be fighting? It 1s important that we should see his temper his tactics, his whole method of conducting the ca.mpaign. Men who ostensibly fight for righteousness are not always righteous fighters. "I will not trust in my bow, neither shall my sword save me," said one of the psalmists. " Make haste to help me, O Lord my salvation," was David's prayer. "Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of," 'l'l"ere the words of Jesus when the" sons of thunder" wished to ce.11 down fire from heaven on the Samaritan Yillage. Michael the archangel, in contention with the devil, "durst not bring against him a railing accusation." A bad spirit ia not e.llowable even towards Satan, nor ca.n an archangel go beyond " The Lord rebuke thee." Now, the apostle speaks of himself as fully armed for offensive and defensive warfare. And the fight goes on amid honour and dishonour, praise and cheer from friends, hostility and contempt from enemies ; by evil report and good report ; vilified e.s a deceiver, but yet a true man ; as unk:nol\'ll (" obscure nobodies") to men, but known to God; as dying, and behold, out of perils, life springs renewed and enlarged ; chastened as a. discipline needed for a spiritual warrior who was meantime in everything a co-worker with Christ; a sorrowful man in the estimation of many, but in reality always rejoicing; poor, working l\;th our own ha.nds for a living, but making many rich in spiritual blessings; and, finally, having nothing, and yet-glorious paradox-possessing in Christ all things.-L.