The Pulpit Commentary — 2 Corinthians — Section 190

clrcmm!lances, it becomes indeccl a Marah of bitterness. 4. Church trrmbles. A Church, carefully planted with prayers and tears and toil, threatened with ruin or with severe Injury, Factious opposition-" fightings without." Misrepre.~ntation • in"ratitude • divieioh. 5. The inconsistencies of believer11. The true pastor deeply love~ hi; spirituai children, and can emy, "I have no greater joy than to bear that my children walk in truth" (3 John 4). But when they go astray, when they dishonour the cause to which they belong, bis anxiety. becomes intense and his grief profound; when they grow careless, idle, worldly; when the prayer-meetings and more spiritual gatherings are neglected; when no spirit of zeal burns in their hearts or is manifested in their lives. 6. The callousness of the impenitent. When the wave of his own earnestness beats upon the rock of carnality, and is dashed back, leaving the rock as hard and cold as ever. When the very heart of a. man is nearly preached out of him, and yet no sign follows. 7. The opposition of men of the world. The sneer of the sceptic, and his insidious efforts. 'l'he open or covert endeavour of ungodly men to hinder the progress of the truth. 8, Personal difficulties, doubts, and temptations. The minister bas his own Apiritua.l life to ea.re for, and whilst it might easily be concluded that his special work is pre-eminently favourable to that life, the fact is that ministerial labours involve very special temptations, and that much grace is needed to preserve a spiritual tone. The minister, too, is the favourite target of Satan and of the followers of Satan. These troubles are cumulative. Many, and sometimes all, press at the same time ; and yet the all-responsible work of the ministry has to be carried on under such conditions. '\Veil may one cry, "Who is sufficient for these things?" II. NOTE BOME ALLEVIATIONS OF llINIBTEBIAL BOBROW. 1. Conviction of the Divine approval. The faithful minister often has this joy, and may always have it if he will. '£his is enough to make any man brave in peril, and to cheer any man in heaviest sorrow. This was one of Paul's sheet-anchors. 2. A good conscience. If conscience does not condemn, we may pluck up our courage. Still, a man must not conclude too easily that he is faultless. There a.re some over-contented, non-successful ministers who are a bane to the Church. 3. Realization of the grandeur of the work. The soul sinks when this is lost sight of or obscured. The soul rises when the service of Christ is seen in a clear, true light. 4. Evidences that labour is not in vain. God sends some Titus with good news. Conversions, causing joy in the presence of the angels of God, ea.use joy also in the pastor's heart of hearts. Here is infinite com- pensation for all toil, anxiety, and suffering. 6. Suitable re.~ponse of those under charge when appealed to. Paul's joy was largely caused by the Corinthian response to the Firilt Epistle. When the inconsistent give up much of their inconsistency under pastoral admonition ; when the worldly become more spiritual; when the indifferent become earnest ;-then the under-shepherd is made glad indeed. 6. The anticipation of the Master's commendation at last. Paul ever had regard to "the crown of righteous- ness." If we can but please our Master, everything else must be a. matter of com- parative indifference. Applies to some extent to all Christian workers. All such are" minist1:irs," and in their degree share in ministerial joys and sorrows.-H. Vera, 8-16.-Marks of true penitence. I. TittJE REPENTANCE IS IN CONTRAST WITH THE BORROW OF THE WORLD. It is the fruit of "godly sorrow" (ver. 10). It is sorrow "after a. godly sort" (ver. !>), or "according to God." It makes us see sin as against God, It is coming to the mind of God as to sin. It leads to salvation-to eternal life. It is never the subject of regret, but of thankfulness. The sorrow of the world is not because of sin, but because of its penal consequences. It issues in death because it still holds to the sin. It is a regret that sin in any stage should be so painful. It would reform hell by banishing its pains, not its wickedness. II. IT INVOLVES DEEP SOLICITUDE, (Ver, 11.) Opposed to prior indifference. The Corinthians had regarded their sin as of little importance, but now they feel far other- wise towards it. So unrepentant men boast that they have sinned so little. ,Job said, "I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes." When true penitence is begotten in the heart, the time for carelessness in respect of sin has gone, and the time of carefulness has come. Sin is no longer a light matter, but one most momentous :ind urgent. III, RENUNOIATION OF THE EVIL. 'l'hus the Corinthians sought to clear themselvea  le& THE SEOOND EPISTLE TO THE CORINTHIANS. [ea. vu. 1-16,