The Pulpit Commentary — 1 Corinthians — Section 62

t0 k110\\" anything among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified." The man whc has some parnmc,unt sentiment looks at the universe through it, ay, and values the uniYcrse so far as it reflects and honours that sentiment. Hence to Paul Christ \\"as " all in all." All other subjects-political and philosophical-dwindled into insignificance in its presence; it swallowed up his great soul. III. The grand subject of his ministry makes him INDIFFERENT TO ALL RHETORICAJ, coKSIDERATIONS. "I . . . came not with excellency of speech." In order to exhibit 1 his theme to men, he never thought of brilliant sentences and polished periods. :111d studied composition ; not he. The theme was independent of it, infinitely too great for it. Does the splendid apple tree in full blossom require to be decorated with gaudy ribbons? Christ crucified is eloquence, mighty eloquence. 'fell the story of his life in plain Yernacular, with the notes of nature, however rough, and in vital sympathy "·ith its spirit; and your discourse will be a thousand times mightier than the orations with which Demosthenes shook the proud democracy of Greece. IV. The grand subject of his ministry S"CDDUES IN HIM ALL SELF-CONSCIOUSNESS. "I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling." This Paul was llaturnlly a strong, intrepid soul, but in the presence of this grand theme he felt weak and trembling. "Who is sufficient for the,e things?" he exclaims. Vanity in any n•:rn is a vile and disgusting incongruity, but in a preacher it is a thousand times worse. A rnin preacher is an anomaly, an impostor. He has failed to realize the grand theme a bout which he prates. Y. The grand subject of his ministry INVESTS HIM WITH DIVINE POWER OVER, MAN. '· My preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power: that your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God." There is as truly Divine power in the ministry of a true preacher as there is in the heaving of ocean or the rolling of planets; but a higher- power withal, power over mind, it is "the power of God unto salvation." "Would I describe e. preacher such e.s Paul," etc. (Cowper.)