The Pulpit Commentary — 2 Corinthians — Section 286

tion in himself; he sees others fall; he wonders whether hiR own converts will yielrl. They are his crown of rejoicing when they stand fast; bis crown of thorns when they fall. 2. The weakness of the hwman heart. He remembers the old nature still within them -their iufirmities, thoir tendencies to trust to their own strength. 'l'hey seem to be easy prey for the devil. 3. The subtlety of false human teachers. So many other gospels besides the truo will be preached to them-adroitly contrived, it may be, to pander to th(J carnality still remaining within them. Called by seductive names-bearing tho nnme of Christ possibly, and yet inimical to bis kingdom and person. Philosophies falsely so caller!, and philosophers as full of confidence and conceit as of emptiness, and yet presenting to shallow judgments the appearance of the fulness of wisdom. III. 'l'rm PAST011's JEALOUSY. 1. A watchful jealousy. He will have to give account of the souls entrusted to his care, so dar- ,s uot be careless. He loves his flock, and therefore watches over it. He watches for the approach of peril, if peradventure he may avert it. He jealously scrutinizes all influences affecting his charge. His Master is the shepherd; he is the watch-dog. 2. A warning jealousy. Bis keen feelings lead to solemn admonitions when needed. Be barb, and, when occasion arises, even bites; faithful are the wounds of such a friend. A short shrift is the desert of a pastor who is but a dumb dog. Pity it is if our feelings are so fine that we cannot rebuke men to save them from perdition. Silver bells are all very well for seasons of festivity, but when the fire blazes forth we must swing lustily the rough alarm-bell in the turret. He is a poor surgeon who is too tender-hearted to use the knife. If we love people very much we shall be willing to hurt them that we may heal them. An unwarning jealouHy is not worth a farthing a bushel. It is a poor sham. 3. A godly jealousy. (Ver. 2.) (1) Jealousy which centres in the welfare of others rather than in gratification at their attachment to the minister of Christ. (2) Jealousy which is concerned pre-eminently with the honour of God. The falls of professed Christians bring dishonour upon the cause of Christ. (3) Jealousy wrought in the heart by God himself. A right feelin:z, since God has given it place in the pastor's heart. (4) Jealousy which allies with God. Leading to prayer, communion with God, dependence upon him in every strait.-H. Vere. 7-12.~Misinterpretation. I. OuB BEST AOTS MAY BE llllSINTEBPBETED. Acts of the greatest nobility and unselfishness have often been. The world's greatest bene- factors have tasted the bitterness of being-misunderstood. 1. We should not judge of our acts by man's estimate of them. 2. We should not be surprised by any interpreta- tion put on them, 3. We should not be dismayed by any interpretation. 4. We should rejoice that we have a higher, wiser, and more impartial tribunal than the human. Our Master said, " Woe unto you when all men shall speak well of you I " (Luke vi. 26)-a pregnant warning to those who live upon the approval of men! II. MISINTERPRETATION SHOULD NOT HINDER US FROM CONTINUING IN A RIGHT COURSE. 1. We have not to give account to men, but to God. 2. To change our conduct might not avoid misinterpretation, but rather give occasion for it (ver. 12). ill. MISINTERPRETATION MAY DE MET AT SUITABLE TIMES BY EXPLANATION AND JUSTIFICATION OF CONDUCT, 1. It is well to take away occasion for misinterpretation. Misinterpretation, like martyrdom, should not be courted. Both should be borne heroic- ally when they meet us in the path of duty. 2. It is often well to show that mis- interpretation is misinterpretation. We should not forget that misinterpretation may (1) injure our usefulness; (2) injure those who misinterpret us; (3) brin~ dishonour upon Christ. In this matter we have need to be wise 1111 stirpents 11.lld harmless as dove~.-H. Ver. 14.-.A very beautiful angel. I. A STARTLING FACT. We learn from Paul that the most sable of Ethiopians can change his skin and the fiercest beast of prey throw off his warning garb. The blackest devil can appear as the brightest angel. This is, indeed, a transfiguration, the most marvellous of transformation scenes. As an angel of wisdom Satan appeared to Eve; a~ an angel versed in theology, to Christ, glibly crying, "It is written." Satan was an angel of light. He thus knows well how to play the angel. Herein is he to be feared. It is not the ugly devil we need dread 110 much as the pretty devil. 'l'he old Scotchman's comment on the horned and hoofed Satan of a celebrated picture of "The Temptation" is full of point : " If that chiel cam' to me in sic ao qgly ~hape, I thivk hti wud bae" teuch job wi' me too."  286 THE SECOND EPISTLE TO THE COHIN'fHIANS. [ell, x1. 1--33,