The Pulpit Commentary — 2 Corinthians — Section 250

other npostle'e working, but the co-working, the hearty union of Church and apostlcR, tho co-operation of the "diversities of gifts," the oneness of the mystical body of Christ, by which the world was to be evangelized. The schism that had been threatened between the Asiatic nnd European Churches was in a fair way to be arrested. Jewish and Gentile believers were getting reconciled to the peculiarities of each other • the collection for the mother Church at Jerusalem was doing much to effect this 'most important unity. Yet this is not before him now. Nor does he allude to the singular ndvantages of Corinth as to geographical location and commercial opportunities. Situated on a narrow strip of land between northern and southern Greece, and con- nected with two seas by its harbours of Lechreum and Cenchrere, it was a great emporium of trade for the East and West, and hence offered extraordinary facilities for the diffusion of Christianity. No doubt St. Paul felt that it was a centre of com- manding influence. But he was extremely cautious as to using local motives, and in the present case he made no allusion to them. What occupied his whole thought was the increase of grace among them as a Christian community, and to this he looked for a happy furtherance in his contemplated missionary.tour. If they were revived and con- secrated anew to Christ, he knew well that, when obstacles were thrown in his future pathway, when persecutions even fiercer than those already undergone came upon him, they would afford him sympathy and assistance while getting foothold in "the regions beyond." Obviously a prevailing idea in his mind was that Christianity must have a central home in every great section of country, and thence draw its human supplies during its conquests of outlying te1Titory. And he longed for the Corinthian brethren to attain a richer experience of grace, so that they might magnify his office. Instead of being independent of their fraternal support, the stronger he felt himself the more he lea.ned on their sympathies. Heaven never gets so close to a man that earth does not get closer also. How the blessed Jesus leaned on his friends in the Passion week ! How he needed the chosen among them ·to watch with him in the garden for one hour ! The weary days of the apostle had not yet come, and his soul was having glorious visions of apostolic work, but amid it all, the pressure of uncertainty was upon his hope, and he would gladly hasten away from the present scene of anxiety just as soon as Providence permitted. We can enter into his solicitudes. We can imagine how Kirke White felt when he wrote the closing lines of the 'Christiad' : - " 0 thou who visitest the sons of men, Thou who dost listen when the humble pmy. One little space prolong my momnful day I One little lapse suspend thy last decree I " And we can realize Dr. Arnold's emotions when he made the last entry in his diary: "Still- there are works which, with God's permission, I would do before the night cometh ; especially that great work, if I might be permitted to take part in it." So too we can form some conception of St. Paul's anxiety to widen the field.of his minis- trations. .l:l,ut he could not go alone ; the heart of the Corinthian Church must go with him; and he must wait till they were sufficiently " increased" in " faith" to enter on the future enterprises of his universal apostleship. How humble in his greatness! Not what St. Paul accomplished, but what God accomplished in him, was his boast and commendation. This was his strength and glory, and therefore, "He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord."-L. Ver. 4.-Spiritual weapons. The Apostle Paul was naturally of a combative, soldier-like disposition. Before his conversion this temperament displayed itself in opposition to the cause of truth, to the Church of Christ. After his conversion his warfare was directed against the error, sin, and evil that afflicted and cursed mankind. As a ~oldier of Christ he fought a good fight and gained an honourable reputation. In the text we have, upon his own authority, the acknowledgment and explanation of his victories. 1. THE NATURE OF THE WEAPONS CHRISTIANITY EMPLOYS AND SANCTIONS. It is evideu_t from this and other passages that Paul did not place his main :elianc~ upon the miraculous and supernaturnl powers which he possessed, and sometun~s wielded. 1. Carnal weapons are disclaimed; e.g. the appeal to force of nrms or at law; the  THE SECOND EPISTLE TO '.L'IlE CORINTHIANS. [orr. x. 1-lR.