The Pulpit Commentary — 1 Corinthians — Section 70

Vers. 9, 10.-The revelation of things unseen and unheard. It may perhaps have been complained, though unreasonably Pnougb, that Paul's compositions were lacking in logic, and hi~ language in eloquence. '!'here was in the substance of his teaching enough to compensate any deficiencies of such kinds. No sage communicated such ,\·isdorn, no poet such wonders, as he. Deep things, drawn by the Spirit from the ocean of God's unfathomable nature, were brought up, and were by him presented to the Church of Christ-to all who possess the spiritual capacity to recognize their meaning aud to appreciate their worth. • I. CONSIDER WHAT THESE REVELATIONS WERE. In the original prophecy the reference was to marvellous and Divine deliverances wrought for Israel; the apostle "accommo- dates" the prophet's language to his own purpose, to express the display of Divine wisdom and power evinced in the gospel, in which Christ is made unto his people wbdom and righteousness, sanctification and redemption. The privileges of the Ctuistian calling enjoyed in the present are an earnest of the higher joys of the eternal future. The gospel manifests the favour and fellowship of God, assures of sonship and of heirship. It reveals Divine truth, and it imparts Divine grace. I!. OBSERVE HOW INACCESSIBLE THESE DLESSINGS WERE TO THE ORDINARY POWERS OF MEN. 'l'he eye can range over the surface of this beautiful earth, and can explore the glories of the majestic firmament. 'l'he ear has receptivity for the manifold sounds of nature and for the intricacies and the charms of music. 'l'he heart speaks often and profoundly: "A man's mind is sometimes wont to tell him more than seven watchmen that sit in a tower." But the revelations here alluded to are not like the features of nature, which are recognizable by sense, or like the inspirations of practical sagacity. 'l'he eye can see the works of God, but not the Artificer; the car can hear the voice of God, but knows not the Speaker; the heart can echo the appeals of God, but these appeals must reach it from above. JII. REMAil!C THAT THESE REVELATIONS ARE MADE DY THE SPIRIT OF' GOD HIMSELF'. "\Ye possess a spiritual nature susceptible of Divine impression and appeal, and with tliis nature, creat0d after liis own likeness, the Father of spirits is in direct communi- en. n. 1-16.] THE FIRST EPISTLE TO THE CORINTHIANS, 71