The Pulpit Commentary — 2 Corinthians — Section 231

(JaB. v. 16). Men are willing to give much if their friend will but speak for them to the sovereign; but the cheerful giver is often spoken for to the King of kings. 2. Their wve. (Ver. 14.) Love is not to be lightly estimated; it is spiritual gold, much more precious than material. A man is rich if his treasury is well stored with the love of his fellO\VB. The love of good men especially is a large recompense. Here we have the love of man and the love of God promised to those who delight in mel'oy and in helpfulness to the children of want.-H. Ver. 15.-The Gift of gifts. Undoubtedly the gift of the Lord Jesus Christ. Paul has been speaking of the lesser gifts of saints. Now he rises to God's supreme Gift. Consider- I. THE GIVER. Gcd. Who could give Ohrist but Gcd? We must not forget that God gave Christ. Many do, and form the erroneous notion that, whilst Christ is their friend, God is their enemy. Redemption is of the whole Deity. "God so loved the world," et.c. Note: the Giver was a God (1) unworshipped, (2) unserved, (3) unloved, (4) grievously sinned against, (5) defied in the very act of giving, It was whilst we were yet sinners that Christ came to redeem us. " Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the Propitiation for our sins" (1 John iv. 10). II. THE GIFT. 1. ..4. gift. (1) A free gift. Nothing was given in exchange. Men had nothing to give. (2) A voluntary gift. Prompted by Divine compassion and love. (3) An undeserved gift. Men deserved condemnation, not Christ. (4) A con- tinuous gift. Christ is not ours merely for a time. He is ow-sfor ever and ever, He is the saint's everl:i.sting inheritance. 2. An unspeakable gift. (1) In value. The most costly of gifts. The pearl of great price. The treasure discovered in the fields of heaven. Who can estimate the value of such a gift as this? If God had given o. thousand worlds or all the angelic hosts, he would have given Jess. (2) In splendour. Consider the graces, powers, and infinite excellences of Christ. His presence made heaven glorious. (3) In efficacy. This gift fully met our need. How fully we yet know not, for now we are looking through a darkened glass. All our known wants are supplied by the Redeemer, and the vast catalogue of wants as yet unknown to us. 'l'hrough him we are pardoned, cleansed, sanctified, adopted, and through him we shall at last be brought into the great home above. III. THE RECIPIENTS OF THE GIFT. 1. Humam, beings. Christ was given to the human race, not to the angelic, nor to the merely animaL How greatly honoured is mankind! If Christ was given to men, what a future must be before those who receive this gift! 2. Fallen human beings. Man, "made a little lower than the angels," soon fell much lower, and then the gift came. A marvellous return for man's apostasy! When the cry of humanity was for sternest punishment, Heaven's response was "Jesus of Nazareth." Well may we exclaim," Oh the depth of the riches both of the ·wisdom and the knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, ood his ways past tracing out l" (Rom. xL 33). IV. APPROPRIATE GRATITUDE. Paul cries, "Thanks be to God;" and well he may. How can we thank God enough for such a gift as this? What would be our state if this gift had not been bestowed ? - " Love so amazing, so Divine, Demands my soul, my life, my all." 'l'hroughout eternity we shall praise God for the gift unspeakable. Now let us praise him with : 1. Lip. Tell out our gratitude. Suppressed praise is indecent. We should desire all the world to know how thankful we are. 2. Heart. 'l'he tongue in this matter must be moved by the spirit, or it will not make sweet music in the ear of God. The gift came from the heart of God : let our thanksgiving come from the heart also. 3. Active service. What are we willing to do to show our gratitude? Paul was so subdued by the "unspeakable gift" that he loved to call himself " the BW1Je of Jesus Christ;" and he counted no toil too severe to show his thankfulness. 4. Life. Our whole being and existence should constitute a psalm. This is the true "psalm of life." Every po\ver should be pressed into the service. As this gift is ever the supreine blessing in our life, we should ever be praising Goel for it. on. tx. 1~15.] 'l'HF, SECOND EPISTLF: TO TIIE CORI~iTIIIANS. 231