The Pulpit Commentary — 2 Corinthians — Section 237

I need ; able to meet me at every point; able to give the grace accordina0 to the day, able to adapt himself to all the changes and fluctuations of my moods and circum~ stances? The little child brings all her broken dolls and damaged toys to her father• she is perfectly sure that, however dreadful the damage may be, " father can mend lt.•1 ~nd the sweet confidence dries up the tears. Bu~ the li~tle thing never stops to con- sider how strong the father-arms are or how sk1lrul his fingers; she only reads his power by the light of his love ; and she is quite sure that he will try, and her trust says that he will succeed. What can God do for us, his blood-bought children? He can breathe on us the spirit of a holy contentment. He can inspire us with zeal unto all good works. He can strengthen us for all noble enterprise. He can make the mountains of difficulty before us lie level as a plain. He can so prosper and bless us that very thankfulness shall urge ua to generous and noble deeds. "I cannot indeed, but God can:" let us learn to say that, and then this will be our gloryina-" Here there, yonder, in this and in that, in the light and in the dark, I can, through him wh~ strengtheneth me." There is a condition upon which the ability of God alone can come to us. We must gain and keep the receptive mcod, which includes the humble, obedient, and trustful spirit. II. MAK's ABILITY AND ITS EXPRESSION. For we also are "able to abound unto every good work." Sometimes we a.re deeply impressed with the feebleness, the imper- fection, of the best that we can do. But when we estimate that work of grace which God, the All-merciful, is carrying on in the world-so silent, yet so mighty; so Iona, !f,lld yet so surely triumphant at last; so rich in long-suffering patience; so quick to take up and use a thousand trifling influences, sanctifying even a passing word and a gentle look to its gracious ends,-then it seems wonderful that, in so great a matter, we should be "co-workers with God," and that the rich streams of Divine grace should even flow to others through us. With the grace of God we can do all things. In the renewed man there is ability. God makes him mighty, and uses him to " pull down the strongholds." God shows him what great things he can suffer, and what great things he can do, for his Name's sake. In full harmony with the Christian humility and dependence we may gain this sense of Christian ability. We want the inspiration of the con\·iction settled deeply into our souls-" I can.'' We need the cheer that comes to every man when God says to him, "Thou canst." We are weak, depressed, hesitating; we touch things with a trembling hand; we faint before the first difficulty, so long as we say to ourselves, "I cannot." With the "all sufficiency" we can abound to every good work.-R. T. Ver.10.-Gorl's rewards/0'1' Ubera1 801/,ls. This verse may be read in a sentence': "The liberal soul shall be made fat." F. W. Robertson's passage in reference to this is so characteristic of him, and so wise and suggestive, that it cannot be withheld. He says, " In the particular instance now before us, what are the rewards of liberality which St. Paul promises to the Corinthians? They are (1) the love of God (ver. 7); (2) a spirit abounding to every good work (ver. 8); (3) thanksgiving on their behalf (vers. 11, 12, lS). A noble harvest, but all spiritual Comprehend the meaning of it well Give, and you will not get back again. Do not expect your money to be returned, like that of Joseph's brethren in their sacks' mouths. When you give to God, sacrifice, and know that what you give ia sacrificed, and is not to be got again, even in this world; for if you give, expecting it back again, there is no sacrifice: charity is no speculation in the spiritual funds, no wise investment, to be repaid with interest either in time or eternity I No, the rewards are these: Do right, and God's recompense to you will be the power of doing more right. Give, and God's reward to you will be the spirit of giviog more; a blessed Spirit, for it is the Spirit of God himself, whose life is the blessedness of giving. Love and God will pay you with the capacity of more love, for love is heaven, love is God within you." Setting out the various forms in which Divine rewards come to liberal souls, we notice-- 1 TEMPORAL PROSPERITY. However true it iB that this was associated with goodness only under the Old Testament economy, it is still found that the liberal soul makes friends, wins love, and so secures actual temporal advantages. II. Hu!rUN LOVE. It is our best earthly treasure, and it comes in response to our power to give. The dearest relationships of human life are the rewards of them that ru. 1x. 1-15.] 'l'HE SECOND EPISTLE TO THE COIUNTHIANS. 237