person ir. the Deity, were all things. Some have been led by this verse to question the divinity of Christ: it appears to teach it in a very impressive and convincincr manner. The administrntiYe, mcdiatinl): position occupied by Christ is indeed reco"~izecl but the assertion that "through" him all things were seems scarcely susc~tible' of a fair interpretation if his divinity be excluded. Moreover, this very expression," through him," is applied elsewhere to God as such (see Rom. xi. 36; Heb. ii. 10). And the expression which we have here applied to God, "unto him," is in Col. i. 16 applied to Christ. '!'he apostle is speaking to the Corinthians about idols as "gods and lords." These were all regarded as deities. In carrying over the same terms to the realm of Christianity, there is nothing in the statements made which should lead us to reo-ard "Lore!" as less Divine than "God." "' Ill. TUE SPECIAL RELATIONS SUBSISTING BETWEEN BELIEVERS AND THE ONE LORD AND oi-.-E Goo. 1. Believers are " through" Jesus Christ. As creatures, they are amoncrst the "all things" which are said to be "through" him. Eut the additional stateme~t, " we throngh him," indicates a very special relationship. Believers are such through Christ; they believe on him. Through Christ they are separated from the "aH thin<>s" and made a" JJeculiar people." All that distinguishes them from others in condition ~nd prospect is "through" him. He is their" Alpha and Omega." He created all thincrs, and they are bis new creation-a creation of a higher order and with sublimer ends. Apart from Christ believers are nothing; through him they become "heirs of God." As through Christ in the realm of nature the chaos became order and beauty, so through Christ men pnss from the disorders of a lost state into the excellences and glories of a redeemed and consecrated existence. 2. Believers are "unto" God. All things arc, but belic\'ers arc in a very special sense. 'fhis is "through" Jesus Christ,, As all the creation under the administration of Jesus Christ is" unto God," so in a peculiar and lofty sense are believers. They show forth the Divine glories as none other of the human race can. Thev reflect the Divine love mr.nifested in the transcendent work of redemption. They-are· presented to God as the fruits of the Divine grace. Their" lire is hid with Christ in God." 'Ibey are" not their own." 'l'heir lives are devoted to the Divine service. They are" servants of God." Once rebellious, they are now obedient; once defiled, now purified; once lost, now saved " unto God." Here is pre-eminently the believer's condition ; he is emphatically "unto God." Is this so with us? If we are saved by Christ, for what, to what, are we saved? Some seem to be saved for nothing in particular! Many are satisfied with being "saved," and never ask," Saved for what?" 0. God is the Father to 'believers. In a certain restricted sense he is the Fath<::r of all. We are all his offspring. But in a spiritual sense God is not the Father •Jf all. Of certain unbelievers Christ sairl, "Ye are of your father the devil." Gad cannot be our Father unless we are his children. There must be the double relationship or none. Some are willing enough for God to be their Father, but not willing at all to be his children! But the true believer has received the adoption and cries, "Abba, I?ather." High privilege indeed! How it speaks of care, and support, and protection, and guidance, and teaching, and love! How near to God we are brought when he hecomcs our Father! Our origination is in the mysterious Deity; we arc fashioned by the hauds of Christ; amid the infinities of creation receiving existence for the Divine glory, we seek our own, and become blots on the universe otherwise so fair; "through" Jesus Christ we become changed, redecme.d ; by him we are led back to God, and see as Jife's supreme object the glory of God, now brought so much nearer to our grasp; and as we reach the dread presence of the Eternal, whence all things come, we lift up our eyes and behold "our Fatber." 'l'his also is •; through Christ." God is the Father of J esns Christ, and Jesus Christ has become our Brother. If Christ be our Brother, his Father is our Father.-H.
Ver. 13.-The great argument for abstinence. I. ARGUMENTS IN FAVOUR OF ADSTI- NENCE OF'.l'EN RUN UPON SUCH LINES AS THE FOLLOWING :-1. 'l'hat from which we are enjoined to abstain is asserted to be dangerous to ourselves, since we may be led to indulge to excess. Or: 2. ls injurious to oursell'es, physically, morally, or spiritually. Or: 3. Is pure \l'aste, bringing with it no real benefit. Or: 4. Is intrinsically wrong. II. SucH AHGUMENTS FllEQUEN'l'LY LACK coGEl\CY. 1. The fourth will have no applic[\tion to tht large class of Lhings indifferent in thcruselvc8, and it is generally in oH. VIIL 1-13.] 'l'HE FIRST EPISTLE TO THE CORINTHIANS. 277