Vere. 12, 13.-Salutation. Among the various features which distinguish these apostolic documents from ordinary treatises must be noticed the prominence they attach to social greetings. 'l'he personal element mingles very beautifully with the doctrine.l and the practical. The apostle's theme may have been absorbing, but he usually, in bringing an Epistle to its close, refers to the individuals by whom he is himself surrounded-his companions and colleagues, and to such as were known to him among the community he is addressing. I. UPON WHAT CHilISTIAN GREETINGS ARE BASED. They differ from common every- day salutations in this, that they are not mere forms, and are not exchanged as a matter of course. They presume a common relation to, a common interest in, the Divine Si.viour. The vital union of Christ's people to himself involves an inter-com- munion of sympathy amongst themselves. II. IN WHAT CHRISTIAN BALU~'ATION FINDS EXPRESSION. 1. In words and in messages of spiritual friendship, in the case of those who are absent from one an0tber. lt is thus proved that distance does not sunder hearts, that the spiritul\l family, dispersed through many places, is nevertheless but one. 2. In the primitive Churches the Christian greeting took the form of the" holy kiss." In this a common social usage was sanctified by a new and higher meaning. 'l'he custom was one which in some Churches wns retained for centuries. The kiss of peace, brotherhood, and love was felt to be the approprinte symbol of the new and all-pervading sentiment of Christian kindness. III. WHAT PURPOSES CHRISTIAN GREETINGS SUBSERVE. We may trace seveml very useful practical ends secured by them. 1. They are evident tokens of the wide diffusion of the Saviour's spirit.ual presence. It is because Christ is with and in his Church that 324 THE SECOND EPISTLE 1'0 'l'HE COHlN'l'HlANS. [oH. xm. 1-14.
the living members of this Church, pervaded by one Spirit, show true unity a.nd love. 2. 'l'hey remove the distressing feeling of isol&tion from which Christ's people may in many circumstances grievously suffer. 8. They are an anticipation of the confidential and affectionate fellowship which is (next to the presence of the Redeemer) to be expected as the highest joy of the hravenly smte.-'I.
Ver. 14.-Benediction. When we remember what just cause of complaint Paul had against manymembers of the Corinthian Church, we cannot but regard this conclmling benediction ~ an evidence of ~is larg~-hearted charity. There is no exception; his benevolent wishes and earnest 1ntercess1ons are for all. And what fulncss and richness of blessing is this which the apostle here implores I 1. TRUE BLESSING DOES NOT CONSIST IN EARTHLY ENJOYMENTS OR EVEN IN HUMAN FELLOWSIIII'. Men's good wishes usually relate to these advantages, and as far as they go they are good, and may be very good. But the apostle took a higher view of the possibilities of human nature and life. II. TRUE BLESSING CONSISTS IN THE CONSCIOUSNESS OF A DIVINE RELATIONSHIP. The three Persons of the Trinity are all concerned in the best and happiest experiences of the pious soul. It is a lofty view, it must be admitted, this which the apostle takes of religion, but not therefore unreasonable. It is all the worthier as evincing the interest of the Creator in the spiritual well-being of mankind. III. TRUE BLESSING ASSUMES A DISTINCTlVELY CHRISTIAN FORM, This is apparent from the remarkable fact that in this solemn formal lacgunge the Lord Jesus occupies the foremost place. Harmonious this with the Saviour's saying, "No man cometh unto the Father but by me." The Mediator brings us into relation of sonship towards the Father and of participation in and with the Divine Spirit, IV. TRUE DLESSING BESIDES IN THE REVELATION TO CHRISTIANS OF THE EMPHATICALLY BE!. . IGNll'T ASPECTS OF THE DIVINE CHARACTER. Observe that "favour," "love," and "communion" are here put forward as those attributes and relations in which it is chiefly desirable that the Eternal should manifest himself to his finite and dependent creatures. V. 'l'RUE 11LEBSING 16 'l:HE SUBJECT OF MUTUAL CHRISTIAN INTER0EBSION. It is notice- able that, not only is this incomparable boon to be sought by each devout soul for itself; we have the example and the authority of the apostle for including it among the objects sought in intercessory supplications. Hence the appropriateness of this language for use at the close of devotional services.-T. Ver. 4.-1'2e death and resurrection of Cltrist contrasted. I. THE FORMER WAB THROUGH WEAKNESS. 1. Christ assumed a nature which was capable of crucifixion. Who could crucify God1 But the God-Man might walk in weariness and weakness to Golgotha. What a pathetic consideration that Christ voluntarily chose a nature which was subject to suffering and death! 2. Christ repressed his innate power. (1) His Divine power. Thus he laid down his life; no man took it from him. But a flash of that power, and the cross would never have been reared. But a word from bis lips, and bis persecutors would have been dead men. But then the gospel would never have been told to man; so/or man omnipotence became impotence. (2) His human power. Man-power as well as God-power was discarded. There was no resistance. He became "as a sheep before her shea.rers." He voluntarily became the weakest of the weak that be miaht be strong to redeem, Learn here that repression is often a triumph. Not al way~ does the putting forth of power mean success. It is sometimes our wisdom' to sit still, to s.ubmit, to be silent. II. 'l'HE LATTEll WAS IN POWER, 1. A marvellous event. What a contrast between the first day and the third! How mighty men seem on the former! how unutterably impotent on the latter! How weak Christ seems on the one! how omnipotent on the other! 2. Dernanding Divine energy, 'l'his power was not of man. Man stands completely helple88 at the grave. Here his boastings are silenced. But the Author of life can restore life. The Divine power manifested in our Lord's resurrection we find somaimes ascribed to God the Father (Epb. i. 20), sometimes to the Son (Mark xiv. 58); "I and my Father are one" (Johe x. 30). 3. Complete, (I) Christ arose iu perfect power, The cross and the grave left no marks of weakness upon him. His 011, XIII. 1-14.J 'rHE SECOND EPIS'rLE TO THE CORIN'l'HIANS. 325