The Pulpit Commentary — 1 Corinthians — Section 141

Vers. 8-13.-.A vivid contrast. Having shown that the Christian consciousness was a twofold realization of the worthlessness of whatever was its own, and the infinite worth of the "all things" in Christ, and having proceeded thence to the iclea of stewanl- sbip and the urgent need of faithfulness, how can St. Paul withhold the stern appli- cation of such truths? Had it been a chil<lish self-complacency with which he was dealing, we know how he would have treated it. But it was an active jealousy, a pompous arrogance, a virulent self-conceit, a carnal temper in which the natural man sur- vived, that he had to combat. Now, therefore, he would show them what they were. 'l'he weapons of his warfare were not carnal, but, nevertheless, they were weapons, and withal such weapons as Elijah bad employed, and even the Lord Jesus had not dis- dained to use. If, by means of contrast, we know everything external, and if thereby we know ourselves too and realize our identity by discriminating one mood of con- sciousness from another, it follows that irony bas its legitimate place and may be sanctified to the best purposes. Men are acutely sensitive to its caustic probe, an,l, ns they will not exercise it on themselves, its application is one of those olliccs, severe but humane, which must be performed on them. Is the conflict over and the victory won? Full and rich, lo I ye are reigning "as kings," and significantly enough, "with- out us," the apostles, the sent of God, iu this movement. And what dominion is that from which we are excluded? Where are your apostles in this hour of your coronation as kings? "God hath set us forth "-a terrible contrast to their sclf-.,dorification-at this instant are we so set forth, like criminals rloomecl to deaLh, and made a spectacle as in a vast theatre, "unto the world, a!ld to angels, and to men." Alas! the only use just then to which the great Apostle to the Ge1:tiles could put his knowledge of Greek games in the amphitheatre was in an outburst of indignation and sorrow. And then follows one of his characteristic sentences, in which impassioned feeling is quite as con- densed as strong thought: fools, weak, despised, are we the apostles, while ye arc wise aml strong and honourable. The formal contrast is dropped, and now, how \,kc U1e rnpid summation of his experience to the sulTtrings of hi~ Lord? Fidelity in sullcrn,g,  144 THE l<'IRST EPISTLE TO i'HE CORINTHIANS. [cR. 1v. 1-21.