The Pulpit Commentary — 1 Corinthians — Section 114

but one believer may be carnal in comparison with another believer. The new natme may be weak and sickly and all but overlaid by the old. 'l'his was the case with the Corinthians, whose fleshliness of mind appeared in the prevalence of" jealousy and strife" and of party spirit. These things spring from the flesh (Gal. v. 20), whcrnver they are found. When the Church is rent by faction, and men thick mainly of the aggrandize- ment of their favourite party, no further proof is needed of the reign of carnality-. "The fruit of the Spirit is love, peace." A fl~shly Christian I What opposites must we unite in describing real character l :.!. They were as yet "babes in Christ." Conversion is a new birth: young con'l'Crts are new-born babes (1 Pet. ii. 2), 'l'hey have in germ all that is to be fouud in the full-grown man; but they are weak, dependent, immature. Young Christians have the rudiments of the Christian character in more or less clear outlin'e, but only the rudiments. Infancy is be.\utiful in its season, and so is the young life of the new convert; but out of season, its beauty is gone. A child with the )·ears of a man is a monstrosity in nature; an old Christian with the crudeness of a young conrnrt should appear to us as great a monstrosity in grace. The "babe in Christ" is meant to develop into "a full-grown man, into the measure of the stature ot the fulness of Christ" (Eph. iv. 13). 3. As babes, they must be fed "with milk, not with meat." Infants and men must each have food suitable to their capacity. The doctrines of the faith may be presented in the form of milk or of solid foud, Milk bas- in it all the nourishing elements to be found in strong meat, though in more diluted form. The facts of the gospel history contain all the truths of the most elaborate theological system; a child can digest them in the one form, but not in the other. Every wise teacher will adapt his teaching to the capacity of his hearers. He will give to each only such food as he can receive and assimilate. He will not give solid food to infants, nor will he feed full-grown men merely with milk. The preacher should consider the wants of women and children, as well as of meo, and adapt some part of the public service to them (comp. Heh. v. 12-14). 11. MINISTERS ARE Gon's SERVANTS, NOT PARTY LEADERS, The childish condition of the Corinthians was ·6hown in their party divisions. They gloried more in the leadei: after whom their faction was called than in Jesus Christ. 'l'o correct this the apostle- presents the right view of spiritual teachers aud their work. 1. Ministers are but servants. They are not heads of sects or schools, whose object is to gather disciples for themselves. 'l'hey are servants of God, doing his work. Therefore they are not to be lifted above their position, as they are when they are regarded as masters in the Chureh ; nor are they to sink below it, as they do when they take the law from any other but God. 2. Each minister has his own peculia1· work. "I planted, Apollos watered." Paul began the work at Corinth; .A.polios continued it. One minister is sent to preach the gospel to sinners, another to edify believers, another to teach the ignorant, another to comfort the sorrowful; hut all are contributors to the Rame great interest .. The servant's work, bowever, is but a subordinate instrumentality. Plantiog and watering are the ordinary conditions of growth, but they do not of themselves cause growth. It is "God that giveth the increase." In the spiritual sphere, as in the natural, the life-giving power is Divine; but in both cases this power usually works through human ministries. It is only in connection with diligent planting and watering that we can expect the increase. 3. Each minister has llis own peculiar reward. .A 11 are one,, inasmuch as all are servants of one Lord and engaged about the same work. Hence they are not to be set against each other as rivals, 'l'heir work is one, yet diverse; and so is their reward. No faithful servant Rhall go without a recompense at his Master's band; but each shall receive his own, alike in kind and in degree. 'l'he principle that determines this is-" according to bis own labour." It is not according to the fruit or result of our labour, but simply according to the measure of our labour. What reversals of human opinion are in store for us I Men applaud success; God prai,es fidelity. Many an obscure but faithful worker shall receive a greater reward than be who bas- been less faithful but more prominent and successful. 4. Ministers are God'sfellow- workers. All God's servants are fellow-servants as workers for him; but here the fellowship is carried still higher. We are workers along with God, who is pleased to associate us with himself in the great work of his kingdom. What a thought is this! (1) What dignity it gives to tbe Christian ministry! It is to work with God. (2) Jlow inspiring to the Christian wurker ! Who would not labour when God is with en. m. 1-23.] 'l'HE FIHST EPJS'l'LE ~·o THE CORINTHIANS. 117