The Pulpit Commentary — 1 Corinthians — Section 135

HO:MILET1CS. V ers. 1-7.-.A true and a false estimate of genuine minister~ of the gospel. "Let •n man so account or us as of the ministers of Christ," etc. Here we have- I. A TRUE ESTIMA'l'E of genuine ministers of' the gospel. 1. They are servants of (Jhrist. " Let a man so ac~ount of us as of the ministers of Christ." There are some who regard ministers of the gospel as servants of their Church. The Churches guarantee their stipend, and they require that their dogmas shall be propounded and tli.eir law~ ·obeyed. The paymasters, whether deacons, or elders, or the state, naturally expect subordination in their ministers. He who yields in any measure to snch an expectation ,legrades his position, and is not in the truest sense a minister of Christ. He who is the truo servant of Christ will feel and act as the moral master of the people-the leader and commander. "Obey them that have the rule over you," etc. There is no -office on this earth so dignified and royal as that of the true servant of Christ. 2. As ~ervants of Christ, they are responsible. "Stewards of the mysteries of God." The "'mysteries of God" here mean the gospel, which in the second chapter is said to be "the hidden wisdom \vhich God ordained before the world." 'l'he gospel is a mystery, not in the sense of absolute incomprehensibility, but in ihe sense of progressive unfoldment, both in respect to communities and individuals. It is a mystery to the man who at firsts be;!ins its study, but as he gets on it becomes more and more clear. The true minister is entrusted with these "mysteries;" he is to bring them out, translate them into intelligible ideas, and dispense them to the people. As a steward of such things, his position is one of transcendent responsibility. 3. As servants of Christ, they are fait~ful. "Moreover, it is required in stewards, that a man be founrl faithful." Fidelity is an essential attribute of a true minister. He must be faithful to his trust, not abuse it, but use it according to the directions of its owner. Faithful to its owner, in all things regulated by his directious. He must be faithful to his hearers, seeking no man's applause, fearing no man's i'rown, "commending himse!r to every man's conscience in the sight of God." 4. As servants -0f Christ, they are independent. " But with me it is a. very small thing that I shouhl be judged of yon, or of man's judgment." Whilst no true minister will despise the flwour or court the contempt of men, he will not be concerned about their judgrnent so long as he is faithful to his God. Paul gives utterance to this sentiment in order, no doubt, to reprove those preachers in the Corinthian Church who were seeking the praise of men. Paul seems to indicate here three reasons for this feeling of indepeu- -dency. (1) His own consciousness of fidelity. "For I know nothing by myself; yet -am I not hereby justified." "The sense is," says a modern expositor, "I am not cunscic,us of evil or unfaithfulness to myself; that is, in my ministerial lire." It is well l'Cmarked by Calvin that " Paul does not here refer to the whole of his life, but only to his apostleship. And the sense is, 'I am conscious of integrity in this oflice. My ow1, rnind does not condemn me of ambition or unfa.ithfulness. Others may accuse me, but 1 am not conscious of that which should condemn me or render me unworthy of this office.'" (2) His confidence in the judgment of God. "But he that judgeth me is the Lord." I am content to abide by his judgment. If his jurlgmr.nt of me agrees not with my own judgment of myself, I will loyally submit. (3) His belief in a full revelation -of that judgment. "Therefore judge nothing beforo the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness," etc. Do not let us judge one another; ,lo nut let us even trust too much to our own judgment of ourselves. Let us await Heaven's judgment. (a) There is a period appointed for that judgmenr. "Judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come." There is a" day appointed in which he will judge the world in righteousness." Ah! that day. (b) At that period .there will be a full revelation of our characters. "·who both will bring to light the 11idden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts.'' (c) At that period, too, every man shall have his due. "And then shall every man have praise of God.'' "Praise" here does not mean approbation, but that every man shall receive .his just due. Such considerations as these may well make minist~rs independeut of tl1e \u1lgmcnts of men, and regardless aliko of their smiles and their frowns. 11. A l'ALSE ESTUIATE of genuine ministers of the gospel. "Aud these thiu:;s,. 139 THE FIRST EPISTLE TO THE CORINTHIANS. [cu. 1v. 1-21.