The Pulpit Commentary — 2 Corinthians — Section 159

while we hne no warrant to say this of believers, we ,nay safely affirm that it is the :reconoiled man in Christ, "made the righteousnoss of God in him," who is the object of Satan's sharpest assaults. To destroy the power of grace in the child of God is his unceasing effort. Now, this grace is received through two gre11.t channels-the con- science and the affections. St. Paul is referring continually to these organs of spidtual activity, and hence, we infer, that he would have his converts. most earnest nt these points. Conscience must be enlightened by the gospel and directed by the Spirit. It must be a conscience of that righteousness we have in Christ and through Ghrist, external to us as the ground of justification, internal to us as the regenerating and sanctifying work of the Holy Ghost. "For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus bath made me free from the law of sin and death.'' But this sense of righteousness in the conscience must act likewise in the affections, orit cannot be" the law of the Spirit ot life." If, then, St. Paul commended the gospel "to every man's conscience in the sight of God," was he content to rest here? "0 ye Corinthians, .•. our heart is enlarged." Open your hearts, open them freely, open them e.s mine is opened unto you. If they would thus realize the righteousness of Christ, they. could not receive the grace of God in vain. It is here, while speaking of the enlarged heart, that he appeals to them as his children. " Be ye also enlarged." Here we see how grace is lost ; the heart, instead of expanding, is narrowed a.nd cramped. Ministers must preach the gospel of love; and, to do this, they must be l"vely in spirit and conduct. Christians must accept the grace of the gospel in hearts that enlarge, so that growth in loveliness may. develop strength of character in its most enduring form. Just at this point backsliding sets in. No man's conscience begins to be blinded till his heart begins to be narrowed. Sympathy is checke.d; openness of feeling arrested ; giving to charitable objects abated; cordiality of intercourse with ministers and members of the Church supplanted by fault-finding, prejudice, and censoriousness ; and then conscience becomes careless; then inert, then calloas, and grace dies in the soul. The enlarging heart is the .secret ·of growth. Nor is there any growth so beautiful as this in itself and so inspiriting as an example to others. Its fell,owship is with souls that are its kindred in Christ; its communiO'TL with that wisdom and purity symbolized by light; its concord, with· him who took upon himself our nature that we might bear his image; its part or share is in the possession of holiness; and its capacity is a temple, or habitation, of which 'f God bath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in tbem.''-L. Ver. 1.-" Workera together." One who is sent upon a mission, who fills the office of an ambassador, is evidently one who, however he works, does not work alone. He is the representative of the court from which he is sent, by which he is accredited. When the apostle thought of bis life-mission, especially when he thought of. its diffi- culties, it was natural that he should recall to his own mind the fact that God, who had commissioned him, was working with him and giving efficacy to· his labours. An.d, in writing to others, it was appropriate that he should remind them that they bad to deal, not merely with a fellow-man, but with a fellow-man who was supported and e.uthorlze.d by Divine wisdom and grace. I. Goo WORKS. He not only wrought the earth and the heavens, whic~ .are «the work of his fingers:" he follows his work of creation by the unceasing work of provi- dential care, government, and oversight. The laws of nature are the ways in which God works. And the spiritual realm is his highest and noblest sphere of operation, in which he is carrying out his holy purposes. II. MEN, WBEN THEY WORK SUOCESBFULLY, WORK WITH GOD. Take two illustrations. The husbandman toils through all the changing seasons of the year, and in his plough- ing, sowing, and reaping depends upon the processes of nature, i.e. works along with God. The physician studies the human frame, and, when it is diseased, seeks its recovery to health through co-operation with the laws of the various organs and tissues of the body and succeeds only by working with God. So is it in the spiritual sphere. The preach~ of Christianity makes use of God's truth and relies upon God's Spirit; any other method mUBt involve failure and discouragoment. III. HUMAN LABOURERS WORK IN SUBJECTION TO THE DIVINE LoRD, There is no equality in this fellowship. God can dispense with uny man's services, however great, wise, and good he may be. No man can dispenw with the counsel and the aid of oa. v1. 1-18.] THE SECOND EPIS'fLE TO TII:m CORINTIUANf:!. 155