Vers. 30, 31.- H771at Christ is to the heart that welcomes him. The Revised New Testament makes a slight but important difference in the renderings. It reads," Who was made un~o us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption." This alteration suggests that the wisdom spoken of embraces and includes the three latter terms; some, however, prefer to regard wisdom as a fourth term, to be joined with the others. As the word may certainly be used to describe a part of Christ's gracious work in us, we may observe Christ's saving work in- I. THE MIKD-SPRERE. His revelation enlarges knowledge. His teachings give practical guidance. His Spirit leads into all truth. He is the only safe Thought-Leader. II. THE RELATIONAL SPHERE. The word "righteousness" here seems to be equiva- lent to "justification," and to refer to our "standing as before God.'' Christ is our Righteousness, as our Representative, in whom God sees us, and whose infinite accept- ability otands for us. UL 'l'RE CHARACTER-SPHERE. Christ's righteousness we are under pledge to win and make our own. But over the winnin_g Christ presides. And this his operation in the sphere of character we call sanctification. Here the idea of "making personally .holy" is prominent, rather than that of "consecration" or "separation." IV. THE crncuMSTANTIAL SPHERE, Conceived as surrounded with an environment of evil influences and temptations, the Church is in the hands of Christ for a daily deliverance and redemption. The full purpose of the Redeemer is not accomplished until we f.J.re wholly rescued from self and from sin. This is practically the pi·esent work of Christ in every heart and life that is opened and lcept open to his gracious 0peratior1s.-Il. T. EXPOSITION.
CHAPTER II. at Ephesus. Of speech or of wisdom. 1 spoke to you neither oratorically nor philo- Vers. 1-5.-St. Paurs own method. sophically. Hence the Apollos p1uty, foncl Ver. 1.-And I; "I too; " I in accordance of the brilliant rhetoric of the young Ale;x: -with God's wethod. When I came to you. andrian, spoke of Paul's speech as "cou The date of llis first vihit was in A.D. 52, and temptible" (2 Cor. x. 10). The testimony of .],.. had stayecl a year :;,nd a half (Acts xviii. God; that is, the witness borne to Cllrist J I ). He Lad since been (roughly speak- by tile Father (I John v. 10, 11). -t" c') •· llm,<: yearn" (TfLETfr,v, Acts xx. :ll) Vc1·. 2.-I determined. The uuadorned ,en. u. 1-IG.J TUE FinST EPISTLE TO THE CORINTHIANS. 59