The Pulpit Commentary — 2 Corinthians — Section 246

ful reader of St, Paul knows how abrupt his transitions frequently arc, and how rapidly he ~ig~esses from his main point_ t? something incidental to his topic. His mental e.ssocmt1ons are governed by two d1stmct laws-first, by ideas excitinr, feelings which lead him to diverge from his main line; e.nd next, by emotions a.rising f;om some occult source that vary his action of intellect. In this instance there may have been e. po.use in writing after he had finished the subject of the collection. Na tu rally e. reaction would set in. One of his excitable temperament could not have been relieved of oppressive solicitude, as he had been by the return of Titus, nor given such an expression to his joy as we have in eh, viii. and ix. without subsequent exhaustion of nervous energy. If, meantime, news came to him of the renewal of Judaizin"' zeal at Corinth, and of some sudden accession of strength to the party so inflamed against him, we ca.n readily see why hie indignation should be aroused. To have his hopes de.shed in this way, in such a conjuncture and by such unscrupulous opponents, would put a terrible strain on a nature organized as sensitively as his, all the more so since a new era seemed about dawning in the history of the gospel. Europe and Asia appeared ready to join hands most heartily in the work of evangelizing the world, and, just at this most auspicious period, to witness a fresh outbreak of discord was the severest of trials that could have befallen him. Whatever the cause, it was a sad thing for this noble spirit to be sorely chafed in an hour when it was rallying from an unusual depression and girding itself for special endeavours to cement the Asiatic and European Churches closer together. Here, in the very heart of Achaia, were agents from the Judaizing party at Jerusalem, who appear to have become more jealous than ever of hie growing influence, and were heated to :fiercer hostility _against the apostle because of the recent triumph of bis authority. While he was exerting every nerve to help the Church in Jerusalem, men from that very community were working in Corinth to disparage bis ministry and undermine bis personal character. It was shocking ingratitude. In itself it was rankling jealousy; in its connections, base partisanship. At that moment the interests of Christianity hung on the precise work he was doing. The liberal gospel he was preaching, the gospel of free grace and of equal honour and privilege to Jew and Gentile, was attesting its Divine excellence in the "exceeding grace of God" manifested by means of the abonnding charity of Macedonia and Achaia. And yet all the promise and hope of this inspiring movement were thrown into the utmost peril by these fanatical zealots. Had be not felt this wrong keenly and resisted it courageously, he would have shown a want of manliness ; for no character can have force that lacks indignation when its own integrity and a great cause identified with that integrity are ruthlessly assailed. It is under such circumstances that the true man appears in the way his sense of injustice operates. Quite as plainly the wise leader will display himself in the perception of what the emergency requires and in the decision with which bis measures are executed. Now, the apostle ie before us again as a study in this particular aspect of his character a.nd ministry. Much as we have learned of him, something remains to be seen, and we may feel assured that the additional insight will amply reward us. The first utterance of his soul enkindles our admiration. Wronged, vilified, St. Paul appeals to thD Corinthians "by the meekness and gentleness of Christ." It is not "we," but "I Paul," for he was the person singled out for these malicious attacks and he would reply from his own heart. It is not that sort of "meekness and gentleness" which craft and conventionality often assume to hide their art and malignity. It is the spirit of Christ, the meekness which acts by turning inwardly upon the mind and soothing its faculties, and the gentleness that exhibits itself in outward tranquillity. St. Paul cannot spea~ of these except as Christ's virtues. They are his; they have his life; they ~ake _their power and beauty from him. "I Paul myself"-his individuality emphasIZed man unusual manner-" beseech you," at the instant when the lion was more likely to show itself in human nature than the lamb, that it may not be necessary for me to exercise my authority over these offenders. If, as my enemies say, I am base in presence among you and bold only when absent, I pray you not to let this matter go to such an extremity that I shall have to use" the rod." When one's courage has been challenged and hie heroism derided, it is extremely hard for a brave man like St. Pau~ to forbe~. But had he not said "Love sulfereth Ion" and is kind " ? Words were things to him and here was the proof of love, side by side with the irony that was not to be  'l'HE SECOND EPISTLE TO TllE COHIN'l'HUNS. [en, L 1-18.