The Pulpit Commentary — 2 Corinthians — Section 259

rhetoric with P1ml'e inl\rtificin.l speech, hie comml\nding appearance with the ln11lcr- nific11nce of Paul's 'bodily presence."' Conybeare gives a translation or vers. 1 and ~ which effectively expresses the llpirit in which the apostle began his pleadina with thi; malicio~s party. "Now I, Paul, myself exhort yo~ by the meekness and°' gentleness of Chr1st-(I, who am meau, forsooth, and lowly m outward presence, while I am 11~ong you, yet treat you boldly when I am absent)-! beseech you (I say), that you will not force me to show, when I am present, the bold confidence in my power v.·herewith I reckon to deal with some who reckon me by the standard of the flesh.': Archdeacon FarrRr says, "'l'here is (in these closing chapters) none of the tender ~fl\~sive~ess ~nd e11;rnest praise which we_ have. been_ heat:ing, but a tone of suppressed 10d1gnation, m 'll"h1ch tenderness, sti:ngghng with bitter irony, in some places renders the language labonrod and obscure, hke the words of one who with difficulty restrains himself from saying all that his emotion might suggest. Yet it is deeply interesting to observe that the ' meekness and gentleness of Christ' reigns throughout all this irony, and he utters no word of malediction like those of the psalmists." By the term "meekness" we are to understand the habit of putting self aside, which was so characteristic of Moses, and the supreme grace of the Lord Jesus. By the term "gentleness" is not meant "softness of manner," but "fairness," "considerateness of the feelings of others." It indicates the habit of mind that is engendered by the practice of regarding the rights of others as well as our own. Meekness and gentleness belong to those passive graces which it was a great part of our Lord's mission to exemplify, to set in prominent place, and to commend. Bushnell speaks of the sublime efficacy of those virtues which belong to the receiving, suffering, patient side of character. They are such as meekness, gentleness, forbearance, forgiveness, the endurance of wrong without anger and resentment, contentment, quietness, peace, and unambitious love. These all belong to the more passive side of character, and a.re included, or may be, in the general and comprehensive term," patience." "These are never barren virtues, as some are apt to imagine, but are often the most efficient and most operative powers that a true Christian wields; inasmuch as they carry just that kind of influence which other men are least apt and least able to resist." Considering St. Paul's naturally sensitive and impulsive temperament, it must have cost him much effort and prayer so to restrain himself that he could speak, even to such active enemies, with the " meekness and gentleness of Christ." I. THE MEEKh'"EBB OF CHBIST IN ST. PAUL. The word seems unsuitable for him unless we give it the proper meaning, which is-not self-assertive, willing to bear quietly, more anx.ions for others than for self. St. Paul was not even anxious, first of all, for bis own imperilled reputation. The honour of Christ was involved in his self-vindication, and for Christ's sake he undertook it. II. THE GENTLE:l.'ESB OF CHRIST IN ST. PAUL. Save to hardened scribes and Pharisees, our Lord ever spoke softly and persuasively, or, at most, reproachfully. He, in his considerateness for others, would not break the bruised reed, or quench the smoking flax. .And nothing is more striking in the Apostle Paul than the gentlemanly delicacy with which he considers the feelings of others. His hand trembles when it holds the rod. .And the words of reproof and reproach break forth from a grieved and troubled heart. F. W. Robertson says, " He vindicated his authority because he had been meek, as Chrii;t was meek; for not by menace, nor by force, did he conquer, but by the might of gentleness and the power of love. On that foundation St. Paul built ; it was the example of Christ which he imitated in his moments of trial, when he was reproved and censured. Thus it happened that one of the apostle's 'mightiest weapons' was the meekness and lowliness of heart which he drew from the life of Christ. So it ever is ; humility, after all, is the best defence. It disarms and conquers by the majesty of submission. To be humble and loving-that is true life."-R. 'l'. Ver. 3.-In the flesh, but not of it. "For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh." This expression recalls the corresponding words of our Lord, with which we may assume that St. Paul was familiar. Addressing his disciples during tbc,se closing hours of communion with them in the " upper room," Jesus had said, "If ye were of the world, the world would love his own : but because ye are not of the world, but I have ch(lsen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you." And, on. x. 1-18,] 'l'HE SEvOND gpJS'l'LE 'l'O THE CORINTHIANS. 259