The Pulpit Commentary — 2 Corinthians — Section 163

Vers. 3-10.-Not hinilering the gospel. I. PAUL'S GREAT ANXIETY NOT TO HINDER THE GOSPEL. He preached the gospel faithfully and with utmost earnestness, but: L He guarded anxiously against lessening the effect of his preaching by,his conduct. 2. He realized that life speaks as well as verbal utterance, 3. 'l'hat what is built up by the lip is often pulled down by the life. II. p AUL'S EFFORTS TO A VOID IN LIFE AND CONIJUCT THAT WHICH MIGHT BINDER '1'BE GOSPEL. He sought not to give offence in anything (ver. 3). He dreaded provinis a stumbling-block to his hearers. So in every way he endea.vourell .to _commend himself as a true minister of God, and thus to advance the cause which he had at heart. Illustrated: 1. Jn his endurance of trial and suffering. Here he exhibited amazing patience and fortitude. (1) Jn those of a generd kind. .Afflictions, necessi- ties, distresses. Of these he had a large share. Ministers, especially very active ap,d devoted ones, must be prepared for a like experience. (2) In those inflicted by enemies. Stripes, imprisonments, tumults. These were largely occa.sioned by his ,faithfulness to the gospel. He was so faithful to the gospel that he would bear these in such a spirit as to further advance that gospel among men. That which his enemies intended as a check he would transform. into a help. (3) In those of voluntary origin, Labours; working with own hands for support, and toiling in the ministry. Watchings; sleepless nights in travel, peril, and sickness occasioned by exposure or excessive effort. l<'ast- ings; "foodlessness "-he was -0ften hungry when, if less dernted, he might have had abundance. 2. In the conduct of his minutry and life. (1) l:'ureness. Chaste living. Disinterestedness. Singleness of motive. (2) Knowledge. Knowledge of gospel truth, and this sincerely i::onveyed to hearers. .A minister is often a hinderer through ignore.nee, especially thruugh spiritl.llll ignorance. But .Paul sought to be thoroughly furnished, so that he might not retard but help forward the truth. 'l'o tei,.ch others he lelt that he himself must be taught, and he was as diligent a learner as a teacher. J:'aul was well acquainted ill: ~very way with the go~pel wbich _he pr~~ched. (3) L<>ng-s1':if~ring, Patient eubm.1ss10n to wrongs. Not quick to retah.a.te. lhe pulpit may be 1mtabl1 u well as the pew. (4) Kindness. Gentleness, Courtesy. Benevolence. 4. l~indness which ever meant usefulness. (5) Jn the Hoty Ghost, Showin~ in all utt'3ra,11ce and oonduct that he was under the influence of the Divine t::lpirit. (6) Love unfeigned. , A ministry of true love i.11 a minii,t.ry of real power, 'l'o call our hearers, as some are very fond of doing, " beloved," is one thing; to have them truly in our hearts is_ another. (7) The Word o/ truth. Ever preacbing the truth as i, is io Jesus, Not proclaiming oH, VI, 1-18.] THE SECOND EPISTLE TO THE CORINTHIANS. 160