The Pulpit Commentary — 1 Corinthians — Section 202

-rmnuNAL, Thll Greek~ were an especially disputatious and liti:dons race. It was natural enough that those who in the days of their heathenism had been accustomed, to refer their disputes to the judges of the city should still carry any differences that might arise into the same courts. But reflection, as the apostle nrges, must have made manifest the unwi~dom or such a proceeding. Christianity proclaim€d itself a religion of peace and love; and its adherents spoke of one another as broth~rs; whilst it wag known that the great_Lord had enjoined tbe forgiveness of injuries, and had himself set an example or such forgiveness. 1t is clear that for Christians to go to law with one another before the tribunals of the heathen was to create a scandal, and to bring both the religion and its profossors into contempt. The same reasonings apply wherever, in our own day, the powers that be are unchristian, and the followers of Jesus are but as leaven in the mass or heathenism. IJI. EVERY CHRISTIAN SOCIETY CONTAINS WITHIN ITSELF ELEllENTS CAPABLE OF DEALit-G WITH SUCH EMERGENCIES. .According to the apostle's teaching, the "saints" shall be assessors with the Lord Christ- in th_e jndgment or the world anrl of angels; and those destined to fulfil functions so majestic may surely be entrusted with the settlement of trivial disputes. It is best if the two persons between whom a misunderstanding has arisen can compose their differences with no outside assistance; if this cannot be donr, it is well to call in the aid of a Christian of calm, impartial character and of large experience, with a common agreement to accept his award without murmuring. There is surely a large opportunity for the exercise of the virtues of wisdom and justice in such directions as these. Much bickering and heart-burninl!: might be avoided were· there a sincere and general desire to act upon the counsels of the apostle. The courts of justice, even in Christian countries, might thus be relieved or much of their business, to the advantage of the whole community. IV. 'l'HE BEST PREVENTIVE OF QUARRELLING IS A DISPOSITION TO SUFFER I:S-JURIES RATHER THAN TO RESENT OR EVEN TO REDRESS WRONG, '!'here is something very startling and very grand in the apostle's sudden, unexpected questions, ""Why not rather take wrong? why not rather be derraut.led?" These arc "counsels of perfection." 'l'he alternative already sugl!:ested is good; but this is better far, however it be opposed to the inclinations of" the natural man." Christ has given us an example of sullcring ,1-ro11~. From the world we are bound, if it be so ordered, to accept with patience language or con- tumely or treatment of injustice. And it is suggested that, even amongst those who n.rc fellow-members of the same body, there may be mutual forbearance, there may be a patience amounting to magnanimity, a renunciation of rights which shall make it clear or how little importance are all those matters upon which it is possible for good men to- ditfer. "Learn how sublime a thing it is To suffer, nncl be strong I" T. Ver. 11.-Past, present, and fut11,re. In the two preceding verses the apostle has. described, in terse, plain terms, the awful vices to which the heathen inhabitants uf Corinth, were addicted. 'l'o his enlightened mind the kingdom of Satan and the king,lom of God were diametrically opposed; and the test by which Pan! jud::;ed them was the test of moral character-a test which the reason :.lnd conscience cannot but approve. 'l'he apostle knew from what a slough some of his Corinthian converts lia,l been dcliveml, and he 1-<>ints the contrast between the kingdom in their person and history. I. A BLESSING AS RESPWTS THE PAST: THE CnmsTIAN IS w ASHED FROM MORAL FOULNESS. The language of this passage must have gone home with power to somo heart~: "Such were some of you I" '!'hey had indulged in sins or the flesh and of tho spirit, in vices which ,vi,re deemed pardonable, and in vices which were ,leemed vile, in transgressions against their own nature and against society. Some had been notorious and flagrant, others ordinary, offenclerg, But all ha,1 contrncted rnorn1 defilement. And what had Christianity done for them? What Ji3s it ,lone ror all to whom it has come? It has purified them fro,11 their old sins. "Ye were wnshetl. ·, The lustration of baptismal waters was a symbol of the purification wrought in tlrn spirit by the redemption of Christ, by the Holy Spirit of God. IJ. A BLESSING AS RESPECTS THE PRESE~'r: THE C1mISTIAN IS RF.NEWED IN IIOLL'\ESS.·  THE FlHST EPISTLE TO TUE COnINTHIANS. [cu. v1. 1-20.