The Pulpit Commentary — 2 Corinthians — Section 253

I. MEN ABE :EMPTED TO GLORY IN THEMSELVES, What men have they are In danger of over-estimating, and thus taking credit to themselves when no credit is due. Some glory in natural endowments, strength of body, or mental ability. Some in the accldentB of birth or of fortune. Some in their position in society, etc. II. FROM TBl8 TEMl'TATION TO BOASTFULNESS BPffiITUAL LADOunERS ARE NOT FREE, Some religious teachers, preachers, writers, officials, pride themselves upon their" gifts," and the esteem in which t.hey are held; boast of their credentials, their learning, their acceptance. If the persons to whom the apostle referred were the first, they were certainly not the last, of this order of men. ill. TJIE O~'LY ADMISSIBLE GLORYING IS GLOBTING IN THE LORD, 1. Christians may glory in the Divine grace to which they owe their spiritual position, This they do when they ask-What have we that we did not receive? Who bath made us to differ? 2. Christian ministers may glory in opportunity of service and in the Divine bestowal of ability for its fulfilment. The apostle felt that the Head of the Church had put honour upon him in commissioning him as the messenger of life to the Gentiles, and in qualifying him for a mission so sacred and glorious. Every bishop, pastor, and evangelist may well acknowledge the condescension of the Eternal in counting him faithful and putting him into the ministry. 3. All true labourers may glory in their success by attributing it to the Divine Author. Paul had abundant reason of this kind for glorying. He needed no letters of commendation; his own converts were epistles witnessing to his faithfulness and zeal, known and read of all men. Joy and thanksgiving, glorying and congratulation, may justly follow when Hea.ven has smiled upon the labourer's toil, and has su1fered him not only to sow, but also to reap.-T. Ver. 18.-0ommendation, human and DiviM. A good man's difficulties do not always come from avowed adversaries. It sometimes happens that those who are professedly upon his side trouble and harass him. So the Apostle Paul found it, for he had to complain of perils among false brethren, and he frequently had to contend with the undermining influence of those who disparaged his ability and authority, and asserted and praised themselves. I. TEE Vil"ITY OF BELF-OOJDIENDATION Oll' THE PART OF CHBISTlAll' LABOURERS, 1. Such a habit is a flaw in personal character. True dignity and self-respect dictate modesty in estimating one's self and reticence in speaking of one's self. 2. It has an injurious effect upon the ministry. They who commend themselves in words are not likely to commend themselves in deeds. The estimation in which others hold them is probably in inverse ratio to that in which they hold themselves. 3. It is displeasiDg t.o the Lord and Judge of all, who regards the lowly and meek and raises them up in due time. II. THE LORD BnlBELF OOJDIENDS AND WILL COMMEND HIS FAITHFUL SEBVillTB, He is not unjust; he is not ungenerous ; he is not unmindful. ".All works are good, and each is beet As most it ple.ases thee; Ea.eh worker pleaaes when the rest He serves in charity ; And neither man nor work unblest Wilt thou permit to be." 1. This commendation is bestowed here and now. In the success of the labourer if'. evidence of the approbation of the Master. 2. Hereafter shall be a public and pronounced commendation. In the day of account those who have done their Lord's will shall be accepted. "Then shall every man have praise of God." ill IT IS NOT TBE SELF-OOMllENDED, BUT THE OOJdMENDED OF THE LORD, WHO E1'"DUBE THE TEBT AND OOJdE OUT FBOJd IT APPROVED. Work is put to the proof; and not only the work but the workman, is thWI submitted to a decisive trial. If it be asked-Who stand the test, and are brought out with honour and acceptance? tho answer is--Not the boastful, the self-confident, those who are loud in their own praise; but thoae who, by patient continuan_ce in well-doing, by ?ili~ent de~otion to the service of the Lord, secure his commendation. Such shall abide m the Judgment, and shall receive the recompenae of reward.-T. oH. x. 1-18.J 'fHE SECOND EPIS'l'LE TO THE CORINTHIANS. 2.-;;:i