The Pulpit Commentary — 2 Corinthians — Section 283

Vers. 13-15.-Hypocrisy. Like his Divine Master, the Apostle Paul, although compassionate to the penitent, was severe with the hypocritical. The vehement language he here uses with reference to his opponents and detractors is not to be attributed to personal resentment, but to a stem and ri/!hteous indignation against those who sought to undermine his just influence, and so to hinder the progress of bis gospel. I. THE MANIFESTATIONS OF HYPOCRISY. 1. What these hypocrites professed to be: "ministers of righteousness," and "apostles of Christ.'' They posed as such, and with many of the guileless and unwary they passed as such. As far as profession, pretension, and language went, all was well 2. What they really were: " false apostles," and " deceitful workers." They had no real grasp of Christian troth; they gave no real evidence of Christian principle; they consequently could do no real spiritual work for the gooc. of the people. II. Tm: MOTIVE OF HYPOCBISY. Some characters seem to find a pleasure in disaimu- lation and deception for their own sake; but usually the motive is (1) to gain influence over others, aud enjoy their respect and support; and (2) in this way to exalt them- selves and secure their own selfish ends. IlL Tm: GREAT PROTOTYPE OF HYPOCRISY. This is to be found in Satan himself, who "fa.shioneth himself into an angel of light." It is the wont of the tempter, the adversary of souls, to proceed by fraud, to invent specious pretexts for sin, and to give to vice the semblance of virtue. It is wise to bear in mind that, whilst we have some- times to resist the devil and his open assaultR, we have at other times to be wise as serpents, that we may "not be ignorant of his devices." IV. THE DISCOHFITURE AND EXPOSURE OF HYPOCRISY. Hypocritical teachers of religion and pretenders to authority may for a time escape detection by their fellow- men, and may for a time be suffered by an overruling Providence to lead Betray, if possible, the very elect. But the day is coming which shall test every man and shall try every man's work. The earthly course of the hypocrites may be according to their words, according to appearances. But their "end shall be according to their works." By these they mW!t be judged, and, since these are evil, by these they shall be condemned.-T. Ver. 23.-Ministers of CJhrist. It was not congenial to St. Paul's nature to boast. He would have preferred to keep himself in the background, .that his Lord might be prominent and might attract the attention and the admiration of all men. But his apostolic authority and consequently the value of his life-work, the credibility of his doctrines, the soundness of the Churches he had founded, were all at stake. As to his national poaition, that was comparatively immaterial. ·But the great question was this-Waa he, or was he not, a true minister of Christ? His adversaries made great pretensions; he had no choice but to overwhelm them with his own unrivalled ere• dentials : "Are they ministers of Christ Y . . . I more ! " L Tutr1: MTNISTEBB ARE APPOINTED BY CHRIST. Whatever be the human, the Clt, Xt. 1-33.] 1'HE SECOND EPIS'rLE TO 'l'HE CORINTHIANS. 283