The Pulpit Commentary — 2 Corinthians — Section 329

prominently as one of the esscnth1lA of Christinn living. It must also bo added that ~elf-<>xaminnlion has always been urge<l hy the priesthood as an ao-cnt in preserving for ~uch priesthood the control of men's thoughts, opinions, conduct, a~d life. Rccognizln"'0 its importance, bnt carefolly avoiding exAggcrations in reference to it, we notice- I. ·wHAT IT MAY rnorRRT,Y CONCERN. 1. Conduct. This may include (1) our mode or performing our ordinary lifc-dut.ies; (2) tlie charnct.er of our relationship with others• (/l) the wise use of 011r opportunities of usefulness; (4) the helpful occupation of ou; leisure hours; (5) and the worthy meeting of our life-responsibilities. 2. Opinion. St. P:rnl here enjoins a proving or testing of opinion, so that a man may know whether ho is "holding fast the profession of his faith without wavering;" "holding fast tho form of sound words." 3. Feeling. So far as this is related to the motive of conduct, and gives inspirnt.ion and character to the expressions of Christian life. Self-examina- tion of i:eeling ~:ith a view t~ confidence of ou! state and sa~isfaction in our progress ~nd att:nnment 1s ah~'ays p~r1lous an~ ~ften rumous. Watehmg frames and feelings 1~ the most enervating th1ng a Christian can do. It never can culture humility•1 it often, in a very subtle -way, nouiishes spiritual pride and severs the soul from th0 simplicity of its dependence on Christ. It brings a false satisfaction in feeling right, or a needless distress in feeling wrong. It clouds the Cb1istian life with hinderino- and weakening depressions, or it brings an extravagant joy which is really joy in" self, not joy in God. II. WHEN SHOULD IT BE UNDERTAKEN? Only occasionally, and under special pressure, such as comes with times of conscious weakness and failure; or times when error is being freely taught; or times when the Christian morality is imperilled; or times when the changes of life are bringing to us fresh responsibilities. St. Paul com- mends the duty in a special form in relation to the Communion of the Lord's Supper. And many Christian people have found special times of self-examination useful-at the New Year, at birthdays, etc. Where there is a natural tendency to morbid introspection the seasons should be very infrequent. Where the acti'l'e side of Christian life is over- developed, the times for self-examination may safely be multiplied. '· Ill. br WRAT SPIRIT SHOULD IT BR CONDUCTED? There should be (1) great serious- ness ; (2) earnest prayer for a spirit of sincerity and faithfulness; (3) careful avoidance of any desire to test themselves by any human standards; (4) anxiously cherished dependence on the leaclings and teachings of God the Holy Ghost; and (5) firm resolve to turn the conclusions of our self-examination into principles and directions for the guidance and the improvement of our practical life of godliness. Compare the psalmist, who prays, "Search me, 0 God," before attempting to search himself. IV. How MAY THE POSSIDLE EVILS OF IT BE COUNTERACTED? 1. BymakingHoly Scripture the standard according to which we test ourselves. 2. By making conduct rather than feeling the subject of our review. 3. By turning the results of the examina- tion into prayer for more grace. 4. By persisting in seeing the things that we may have to rejoice in, as well as those which we may have to groan over. 5. And by regarding the Lord Jesus Christ-and none but he-as our Model of the interiar, as wdl as of the exterior, Christian life.-R. T. Ver. 5.- Wno are the reprobates 1 Essentially such as have not Christ in them. 'fhose whose experience and conduct are not sufficient to prove the indwelling presence and sanctifying power of the living Christ. The word "reprobate" signifies those who Lave been tried a11d found wanting. Illustrations of the use of the term may he found in Rom. i. 28; 1 Cor. ix.. 27; 2 Tim. iii. 8 ; Tit. i. 16; Hcb. vi. 8. The subject may be effectively introducted by a description of the scene in Belshazzar's palace, with the mystic handwriting on the wall Then it may be shown how the term may gain its application to- I. !NDrvIDUAL CHBIBTIANll. Some such St. Paul refers to by name, as Alexander, Hermogenes, Demas, etc. Compare Peter's finding Simon the Sor?erer wa1;1ting. l_ndi- viduals may be reprobate (1) intellectually, by ar.,t}epting false and d1sh?nourrng doctnne; (2) morally, by yielding to temptations of self-indulgence, vice, or cnme. II. CHURCHES. This may be illustrated by the searching addresses sent by the glorified Christ to some of the seven Churches of Asia. 'l'he principles of the search may be effectively applied to modern Churches. Utl, XIII. 1-1'.l,.J nm SIWOND El'ISTJ.E TO THE cu1m;TllfANS. :J3l