The Pulpit Commentary — 2 Corinthians — Section 233

holiness, in vigilant resistance to the devil, and in tender affection for the saints, ho WI\S always the same, and wavered not. Accordingly we :find the word "always" oft.en used in regard to his own spiritual experience and missionary life (see Acts xxiv. 16 on conscience; eh. ii. 14 on the career of a missionary; eh. iv. 10 and v. 6 on sufferings and joyful hope). What a living sacrifice to God was this apostolio man I What singleness or purpose he had, what integrity of heart, what coustm1cy, in serving the Lord always I ,vhy may not similar constancy be shown by us? God is able to make all grace abound toward us. Aud all the injunctions for Christian life given in the Holy Book assume that we are to be always and wholly the Lord's. Our speech should be "al~ays ~"ith gr~ce, seasoned with salt." Our prayers should bo offered up al.way; and in active service we should be" always abounding in the work of th~ Lord." 'l'~e proper_ season for piety is always. Labour sometimes, study sometimes, recreation sometimes, sleep sometimes; but the fear of the Lord always, and the hfe of fe.ith always. No day of the week, no hour of the day, without the Lord. This is not bondage: it is the best liberty. This is not being "righteous overmuch." It is simply to order onr character and conduct habitually by the highest aims and models set before us. It is the aspiration of the meok and lowly, not ol the proud. It is the path of the just, which shines more and more until the perfect day.-F. Ver. 2.-Forwardness in good works. Very remarkable is the tepderness, consi- deration. and delicacy of feeling with which St. Paul addresses the better, the more spiri- tual, part of the Church at Corinth. He was very anxious that they should stand well in the matter of the collection, and therefore be had sent messengers to collect their gifts; but be gives them notice of their coming, and heartily expresses his confidence in the ready and willing mind of these Corinthian saints. In such expressions "there was no subtle policy; there was no attempt to get at their purses by their weak side. St, Paul was above such means. It was natnral, instinctive, real delicacy; and yet it was the surest way of obtaining what he wished, and that which the deepest knowledge of the human heart would have counselled. For thereby he appealed, not to their selfish, but to their most unsel:fish, feelings. This is a great principle-one of the deepest you can have for life and action. Appeal to the highest motives; appeal, whether they b& there or no, for you make them where you cannot :find them. Let men say what they will of human nature's evil, a generous, real, wnajfected confidence never fails to elicit the Divine spark." Consider- L ST. P AUL's CONFIDENCE IN THEIB GOOD-HEARTEDNESS. "I know the forwardness of your mind." L So far as tidings had reached him, and so far as he knew their Cliristian disposition and character, he felt sure that they were thinking rightly about the matter, cherishing proper sentiments conceruiug Christian brotherhood and charity; and the duty of the strong to bear the infumities of the weak. '!'his would be the matter of :first importance to the apostle, for mere gifts are of no more acceptableness to God nowadays than mere sacrifices were in older days. God reads hearts and motives, and accepts the spirit of generosity and brotherly kindness whiqh may find expression through gifts. So God could send this gracious message to David, "'l'hou didst well that it was in thy heart." 2. The Corinthians also planned to meet the apostle's wishes. There had been consideration and consultation and united endeavou1 to form good schemes for the regular devotement of gifts, for the storing and the ingatheriug of the moneys. In such signs of thought and ea.re and wise arrangemenl St. Paul could but unfeignedly rejoice. 3. It seems that the Corinthians had actually ma.de a good and hopeful beginning. They had been " forward" in advance of other Churches; to use a familiar figure, they had "ta.ken time by the forelock:" 'l'his the apostle could not fail to regard as a most encouraging and hopeful sign ot _earnestness, as well as of the preparedD.eaa to act upon principle rather than upon mere impulse ~nd excitement.. lL ST. PAUL'S usE OF THEM FOR THE INSPIRATION oF OTHERS. "For which l boast of you to them of Macedonia." Probably St. Paul had been setting their example before the Churches of Macedonia previous to his receiving news of the trouble at Corinth over the incestuous member, a.nd the disturbance of the Church by St. Paul's i,t:rnuua.l enewies and traducers. Show that whenever a Church of Christ, or a Chri~- 011. 1x. 1-15,] THE SECOND EPISTLE TO THE CORINTHIANS. 221