Vers. 1-5.-" The ministers of Christ." The Corinthians were to be delivered from their tendency to glory in men, by being taught to regard them as a part ol their heritage. All teachers ,rcre for their use, not the particular one whom they chose aij their party leader. Besides, a right view of the ministerial office should prevent all boasting in men. I. How MIKI>'TERS ARE TO BE REGARDED. They are: 1. Servants of Ghrist. They are not" lords o,er God's heritage" (1 Pet. v. 3), the chiefs of the kinadom. Their true dignity lies in serving the Lord Jesus, from whom they take their o";-ders. '!'hey have no authority_beyond that_ which is committ~d to them. Nor are they the servants of men. Obedience to their own Master delivers them frum subjection to every other ( comp. on ch. iii. 5). 2. Stewards Q/ the mysteries of God. The Church is God's house, iil which he alone is Master; apostles and other teachers being dispensers of the good things of the house, the great doctrines of the faith. Every man is a steward being entrusted. ~ith the_ lay!ng out of the gi_fts_ coufen:ed upon_ him, and the improving of the opportumt1es put m his way. But tins 1s true In a special sense of the Christian minister. He is entrusted with the dispensation of the Divine mysteries to men. He is n~t called to ~eal out his own things, but the saving truth or Gud, giving to each his portwn of meat m due season. How responsible an office J '!'hi~ view of the Christian ministry should guard us against two common extremes. On the one side, ministers ure not lords, endowed with a kind of impernatural power, and set to rule the con- sciences of men. On the other side, ministers are not the servants of the people, appointed to teach only some favourite type of doctrine. They are the servants of ·Christ, charged to deliver his truth, whether men will hear it or not. 11. FAIT!3:FUL1'"ESS 'l.'HE GREAT REQUISITE. Every steward must give account of his ste\\·ardship, and the chief thing required i.3 fidelity. Men ask of a preacher, "Is he able, eloquent, attractive?" God asks, "Is he faithful?" Fidelity does not depend on the quality or quantity of the original gifts, but on the use to which they are put. 'fhe man with two t~lents receives the same reward as the man with five, because he has been equally faithful (Matt. xxv. 21, 23). Nor is fidelity measured by what men call success, since it is often incompatible with popularity. Let the much-gifted minister beware; let the little-gifted take comfort. "Well done, good and faithful servant." III. 'l'HE MI1'"'ISTER's JUDGE. I. Not the congregation. It was a very small thing in Paul's view tu be judged of men. The verdict of the people on a ruinisttr's discharge of ,duty is not to be lightly laid aside. If they praise, let us beware of beinl! satisfied with this; if they condemn, let us the more thoroughly search ourselves. But from this verdict there must ever be an appeal to a higher tribunal. Men cannot read the motives tbat lie behind the outward act, nor can they gauge the proportion between a minister's powers and the use he makes of them. Their measure of fidelity must always be imperfect. 2. Not the minister himself. The apostle disclaims being his own judge. B.e caonot charJl;e himself with any remissness in duty, but he does not regard this as an unfailing proof of fidelity. He distrusts his own verdict. Let those who think themselves perfect ponder this statement. A good conscience is very precious, but let us not run into the folly of measuring ourselves by ourselves. Conscience is not the final jud"'e in the matter. 3. The Lord i.~ his Judge. "Who art thou that judgest the servant ;{f another? to his own lord he standeth or falleth" (Rom. xiv. 4). This is man's judgment-day; let us wait "until tbe Lord come, who will both bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and make manifest the counsels of the hearts." 'l'h" verdict of that day will proceed upon a perfect knowledge of the whole case, and every steward shall receive the praise of God according to the just award of the Judge. ·wherefore: (I) Do all your work remembering that Ghrist is your Judge. He knows Your weakness as well as your strength, and sees the honest desire to serve him beneath inany an apparent failure. (2) Do not sit in judgment upon others. Christ will judge Lis own servants.-B.
Vers. 6-13.-.A_qainst self-conceit. Party spirit leads to the nndue exaltation of .men. The head of a faction becomes a hero in the eyes of those tLat belong to it. 'l'wo cu. 1v. 1--21.J THE FIHST EPISTLE TO THE CORINTHIANS. i;;:;