The Pulpit Commentary — 2 Corinthians — Section 234

tiRn individual, affords prominent illustralion of any grace or duty, they properly become, in such maUers, models and examples for thu inspiration of others. All who attain above an averngo level in Christian living ought to be nsed for the permanent raising of the avoragc. It is a somewhat difficult question, how far leaser motives, snch as emulation and rivalry and ambition to be topmost, may be appealed to in Christian lifo and work. Certainly it must be admitted that they can only be secondary motives, buttresses of a building that is well founded on the one great motive of loyalty aml love to Christ. ' III. ST. PAUL'S FEABB LEST TUEY SHOULD COME SHORT OF ms HOPE. .. His boastinr, of them· rni~ht be in vain in tbid behalf." He was very properly anxious "lest haply if they of Macedonia come with me, and find you unprepared, we (that we say not, ye) should be ashamed in this same confident boasting." The ground of fear was the influence which the troubles and conflicts through which the Corinthian Church bad been passing would have upon such a matter of external interest. Churches whose peace is disturbed are seldom found zea.lous in good works. The energy of the Church which is turned into dissension and strife is ta.ken from its proper spheres of growth, witness, and charity. But St. Paul had further cause for his fear~. Enemies at Corinth were so earnestly endeavouring to undermine his authority and destroy his influence that it· seemed likely the Church would throw up this collection for the Jerusalem saints as a merely Pauline affair, with which they bad better have nothing to do. The apostle opposes this malign influence by his delicate pleading, and by sending messengers who would testify that the collection was a matter of public concern, not one of personal interest to the apostle, and not one which was left in his hands. It was the united contribution of the Gentile Churches to the mother Church in her distress, and the matter was wholly under the regulation of those Churches. Impress how important is manifest clean-handedness for all who have to do with Church moneys. No man must blame us concerning the gifts which we administer. IV. ST, PAUL'S ANXIBTY TO SECURE THE PRACTICAL RESULTS OF RIGHT FEELING. He had been made glad by the report which he had received concerning the more spiri- tually minded Corinthians. They bad received his reproofs and counsels with right feeling. They had cleared themselves of all complicity with the doings of the unworthy member; and the apostle felt that now all that was needed, as a sign of their right- heartedness, was the resumption of this collecting scheme. If they would earnestly take that up and carry it through, in a generous and self-denying way, it would be the all-sufficient and outward proof that they had come well through the stormy and troubled periolli of their Church history.-R. T. Ver. 5.-0ovetousness. ".As a matter of bounty, and not as of covetousness." Dean Plumpt.re translates, "as a work of your bounty, and not of my claims upon your purses." The Hevised Version renders, "and not of extortion," but putting the worcl "covetousness" in the margin. 'l'he Greek of the word "covetous," signifies " to have more," and it signifies (1) one who has more than enough; (2) one who desires more than enough of whatever kind; and (3) one greedy after money. But these do not pre- cisely express the thought which is in the word as employed in Scripture. Covetous- ness is that exaggerated consideration for self which makes it possible, not only to neglect the interests of others, but even to injure others to secure a man's own ends. It is the desire to get and to hold for self, which shuts up a man's hand and heart so that he cannot give to others. We suggest for treatment- !. THE COVETOUS SPIRIT. Distinguish between covetous acts, and the covetous spirit which may be cherished in such a way as to utterly spoil acts which men may call acts of liberality. It is "covetousness," the self-seeking spirit, concerning which St. P.iul is anxious, and this is a form of spiritual evil to which we are all more exposed than we think. The most painful exemplification of it is found in Judas Iscariot. Its subtle and mischievous workings in him can be clearly traced. The examples of .Acha;i, Demas, etc., may also be given. "It is not necessary to describe at any length the sm which the Word of God brands under the name of 'covetousness,' and alwa.ys asso- ciates with whatever is most offensive and most vile, 'the root of all evil,' by ba,l pre-eminence ' iJolatry.' We assume its existence. It will not be denied. Its spell is upon all. 'It is the abuse and perversion of a great law of man's nature-the law  234 THE SECOKD EPISTLE TO TlIE CORINTllIANS. [err. u. 1-1/i.