The Pulpit Commentary — 1 Corinthians — Section 246

not be hindered from coming to Christ. No one can stop us. Not all men. Not all devils. Not all adverse circumstances. We can come if we will, whoever or whatever we are or in whatsoever condition. The responsibility is upon our shoulders. None shall say at last that they could not come. God bath not permitted man so to bind his fellow that the journey to the cross is an impossibility, II. IF YOU CAN OBTAIN YOUR FREEDOM BY RIGHTEOUS MEANS, DO so. Not "do evil that good may come." But embrace any legitimate opportunity, for as a freed- man you have generally more opportunities of service and less perils. When freed, you may make it more apparent, perhaps, that you are "Christ's bondservant." To us: seek a freer position when opportunity is presented, since in that you may more abundantly serve God. That is the object which you must ever have in rni11J. Let not the freer position be for self, but for God. A more comfortable condition is not always a more useful one. When we are taking off one shackle we may be putting on another. It may be a heavier one. III. Do NOT BECOME SLAVES. It may be your duty to continue slaves, not to beco:ne such. This would be throwing away most important -advantages. You are Christ's, bougM with a price; have by choice no other bonds upon you than your Master's. To us: never seek a position in which service to Christ may be prejudiced. Here is a crucial test. 1. A rise in the social scale may impair our usefulness. The new house may tax our purse and check our charity, the numerous engagements our time, the atmosphere our piety, We may become "bondservants of men," and very miserable ones. 2. A more lucrative post may entail Joss rather than gain-greater occupation of time, larger demands upon our strength, even the shortening of our lives. All such things come into the account. 3. 'l'he removal to a more pleasant place of residence may mean the arrest of Christian activity, People remove from where they are wanted to where nobody wants them. God places them· in the field to labour, where there is much to be done, but they contract a fondness for mountain air an,l scenery, and off they go, leaving their appointed work to take care of itself. And when they get to the mountain of delights there is nothing for them to do bot to grumble, and this, it must be acknowledged, they do with most unflagging zeal. Christians seem to think they are their own masters, and can come and go for little reason or for none, and without any reference to the grent work to which every Christian is pledged, viz. seeking to extend the kingdom of Christ among men. "My Father's business" should be first with the disciple, as it was with his Lord. Instead of this, it is often practically Jost sight of altogether, and people go without a thought or care from where the Father's business is urgent and almost overwhelming in impL1r- tance, to where in comparison it can be prosecuted only upon a most limited scale. Men listen to the" call" of inclination, not to the "call" of God (note vers. 20, 2-1). We must ever beware of running into bonds. Many of these are golden. Not the less binding. In whatever circumstances we may be placed we must refuse to be such bondservants of men as to impair our relation to God. At all costs, in every condition, his will and glory must be snpreme.-H. Vers. 36-40.-Duties of parents to children as to marriage. The npostle's wonls apply directly to daughters only. Among Jews and Greeks the disposal of the daughters of the family rested with the father. What is said, however, ruay extend very largely to sons as well. I. MARRIAGE IS NOT TO DE mBIBTED UPON. It too commonly is in many circles, especially in the case of daughters, and thus becomes prolific of evils. 'l'he apostle rnthcr commends the father who does not give his daughter in marriage (ver. 38). Doubtless with an eye to the "present distress," but assuredly in opposition to any forcing of the inclination, and to any notion that marriage is universally desirable. It is not tho parent's wish so much as the child's which should be consulted. Spheres should be opened for unmarried females. 'l'his has been done largely of Jato years, but a greater extension is one urgent need of the times. II. CONSENT TO MARRIAGF. IS NOT TO DE 0AP!llCIOUSLY WITHHELD. (Ver. 36.) The dread of refusal of consent ha.s often led to rash acts involving much subscqucr,t suffering. Parents often blame their children for marrying without consent when they should blame themselves for withholding it. Somo parents seem to think that tL, ir  2-eS THE FIRST EPISTLE TO THE COIUNTHL\.NS. [en. vn. 1-40.