The Pulpit Commentary — 1 Corinthians — Section 162

iin the present capacity of every human being for goodness. Let him know 'what is in manJ' and yet, with this knowledge clearly before him, let him not only not despair of humanity, but respect it, nay, love it even enthusiastically. Above all, let this teacher be perfectly independent. Let him be independent of the voice of the multitude; independent of the enthusiasm and promptings of his disciples; independent even whe11. face to face with the bitter criticism and scorn of his antagonists; independent of all ~ave God and his conscience. In a word, conceive a case in which moral authority and moral beauty combine to elicit a simultaneous tribute of reverence and of love. Clea.rlv 'Such a teacher must be a moral power." Impress that such teachers we should seek to find; such was the Apostle Paul ; and under the power such can exert we may hope to ·grow into the" stature of the perfect man in Christ Jesus."-R. T. Ver. 21.-.Adaptation the teacher's power. Evidently St. Paul desired to be precisely ,adapted to those whom he would teach. The tone and the substance of his teachings would directly depend on their moral condition. As a faithful teacher, he tells them it must depend on them whether he ea.me to them "with a rod, or in love, and in the spirit of meekness." A brief outline will sufficiently guide thought on this subject. I. ADAPTATION INVOLVES KNOWLEDGE, 1. General knowledge of human nature. 2. l'articular knowledge of those to whom we minister. 3. Sufficient knowledge of the measure of our authority and influence. 4. Practical knowledge of the corrective Instruments which we may use. II. ADAPTATION INVOLVES DISCERNMENT. 1. Discrimination of the precise condition in which those we influence a.re at the time. 2. Of the differences in which ea.eh one may stand related to the evil we reprove. 3. Of the limitations to which reproof may be wisely subject, and of the time when the tone may be changed to one of encouragement. III. ADAPTATION MAY DEMAND SEVERITY. Which may be very trying to our feelings, and very difficult in view of our disposition; but mnst be made to characterize our relations, if we would be found faithful. The severity of gentle souls is the mightiest persuasive to goodness. It was quite out of St. Paul's way to be severe, but, for that very reason, we feel his severity the more. IV. ADAPTATION PREFERS COMMENDATION. So St. Paul writes, urging the Corinthians to remove the evils before he comes, for he would so much rather have only kindly and encouraging things to say. Impress that, as we are to God, he must show himself to us. See Ps. xviii. 24-26. And in the same way, as we are in godly habits, in moral and spiritual condition, so-in precise adaptation-must our faithful teachers be.-R.T. EXPOSITION. OHAPTER V. has no need in this insto.nce to name his informo.nts. Every one knew of this sco.ndo.l. Vers. 1-8.-Ezcommunication of an in- J'ornioation; a general worcl_ for £Lll kinds of cestuous offender. impurity. And. The word in.olves £LU in- Ver. 1.-It ia reported. The o.bruptneee dignant climax, "Yes, and uncleo.nness of with which the subject is introduced shows such a kind that,'' etc. Is not so muoh as the intensity of St. Po.ul's feelings, o.nd his named. The true reading is, does not even indiguation that he should have been left exist. This form of incest was, indeed, to hear of this crime by common report. "named" among the Gentiles, for it forms The news had come to him " from those of the ho.sis of the story of Hippolytus, the Chloc's household." But St. Paul was not scene of which wo.s in the neighbourhood of acting on mere '' report." The Greek phrase Corinth; but the feelings even of p£Lgaos implies, " It is notorious that there is un- were so shocked by it tho.t Cicero £Liludes cleanness o.mong you." St. Paul must have to such a crime in the words, "Oh, in- felt it to be a bad feo.ture in the character credible wickedness, and-except in this of the Corinthian Ohurch tho.t they had not womo.n's case-unheard of in £Lll expedeoco ! " mentioned this gross scandal in their letter. (' Pro Cluent.,' 5). At this very epoch Nero Commonly ; ;rather, actually or absolutely. deepened the genero.l exeoro.tion ngninst Elsewhere in the New Testament the word himself by the gencro.lly o.ccepled suspicion only occurs in Matt. v. 24 ; eh. vi. 7 ; xv. 29. tho.t he hnd been guilty of o. yet more Tertullian renders it " in totum." St. Paul flo.grant crime. Should have; rather, that 166 THE FIRST EPISTLE TO THE COnINTHIANS. [en. v. 1-13 ..