The Pulpit Commentary — 2 Corinthians — Section 284

eo~l~si11stic11l ogency by which men_ are summoned to, prepared for, employed in, the mm1s~r:r of the go'!Pel, 1111 true Chrr~tinns are agreed that the real app0intment is by th_e p1v1~11 B~11d of _t!1e Church. It 1s he who, fro!11 the throne_ of his glory, places one mm1ster m this pos1tion, 11nd enother in that, holdmg the stars m bis right hand. II. TRUE MINISTERS ABE WITNESSES TO CHRIST. It was Paul's justifiable boast "We preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord." His ministry had for its one great theme the character, the life, the sacrifice, the redemption of the Divine Saviour. A ministry which, professing to be Christian, is concerned with anything rather than with Christ, discredits and condemns itself. Inadequate as is all human witness to our Lord, it is required to be sincere and outspoken. III. TRUE MINISTERS ARE FOLLOWERS OF CHRIST. Upon this the apostle lays !!Teat 0 stress. His own ministry was, in many of its circumstances, a copy of his Lord's. His labours, privations, and sufferings were all akin to tbOl!e of the Lord whose spirit be shared, and in whose steps he trod. The outward circumstances of the ministerial life may vary, but the temper and aim must ever be those of the Divine Master. IV. TRUE MINISTERS LOOK '.FOR THEIR REWARD TO CHRIST. Had the apostle expected an earthly recompense for all be undertook and underwent, bitter indeed would have been his disappointment. But he and every faithful minister must have one supreme desire and aim-to receive.the approval and the acceptance of the Divine Lord him- self.-T. Ver. 23.-Labours ancl prisons. This is one of those passages which enable us to institute a comparison between the Book of the Acts and the apostolic Epistles. It is true that some of the circumstances alluded to in the context have nothing correspond- ing with them in St. Luke's narrative. But this exception proves the independence of the documents, whilst the coincidences, which are numerous and striking, confirm our faith in -the authority and validity of both. I. THE v ARIOUB ENDURANCES INVOLVED m THE Al'OSTOLI0 LIFE. 1. Labours abounded, both of body and of mind; almost incessant toil was continued throughout long years. Journeyings, preaching, writing, were a constant strain upon his whole nature. 2. Hardships, sufferings, perils, and persecutions were even more painful to endure. 1'here are many, especially in the prime of life, to whom toil and effort are congenial; but none can do other than shrink from pains and imprisonments. Paul's enumera- tion of his privations and afflictions shows how deep an impression they had made upon bis nature. If. THE Ailll OF THE Al'OSTOLI0 LIFE IN VIEW OF WHICH THESE EXPERIENCES WERE CHEERFULLY ACCEPTED, His purpose was, not his own exaltation, but the spread of the gospel and the salvation of his fellow-men. His benevolent heart found in the extension of that kingdom, which is "righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost," an object worthy of all his devotion and all his endurance. Ill. THE MOTIVE OF THE APOSTOLIC LIFE. If it be asked-How ea.me St. Paul to voluntarily engage in a service which involved experiences so bitter'? there is but ,me solution of the problem, but that is a sufficient and satisfactory one: "The love of Christ constrained" him. No inferior motive can be relied upon for the production of such results. IV. THE PRACTICAL ADVANTAGES ACCRUING TO MA.NKIND FROM THIS APOSTOLIC LIFE. 1. It has an evidential value. Why should such a man a.s Saul of Tarsus have lived a life of obloquy, poverty, and suffering? Is any other explanation credible than this -that he knew and felt that he was witnessing to the truth? 2. It has a moral, value, both in the beneficent results of the ministry and in the illustration afforded of the power of the gospel and of the Spirit of Christ to raise a true Christian above the control of influences and interests merely earthly and huma.n.-T. Ver. 28.-.Ana;iety for the Ohurches. Bodily labour and even suffering are sometimes felt to be less oppressive than mental anxiety and care. The Apos~le Paul was fa.mi~a.r with all alike; and in his case a peculiarly sensitive and sympathetic nature caused ~m to feel more keenly and constantly than others might have done the pressure of daily nnxie,ty for the welfare of the converts he had made and the Churches be had founded. I. THE REASONS FOR ANXIETY WITH REGARD TO THE CHURCHES. 1. Their immaturity. 284 THE SECOND EPISTLE 'l'O THE CORINTHIANS. [dU. xt. 1-38,