Vers. 24, 25.-The Christian race. Nothing could be more natural, more effective, than an allusion of this kind, occurring as it does in a letter to residents at Corinth. The Isthmian games, celebrated in the neighbourhood of their own city, were to the inhabitants of this famous place a matter of the greatest concern and interest. The gathering of representatives from all parts of Greece to witness the athletic contests which took place in the stadium of the isthmus, gave dignity and solemnity to the. occasion. And the honours accorded to the victors were so highly coveted that there could have been but few of the ambitious young men of Achaia, indeed, of the whole of Hellas, who were not fired with a desire to distinguish themselves in these contests. Ko wonder that Paul should. stimulate his own zeal and that of his Christian friends and disciples by reminding himself and them of the efforts and the sacrifices which were willingly undertaken for the sa.ke of a perishable crown. I. 'l'HE COURSE. The marble stadium of the isthmus serves as a picture to us of the course to which Christians are summoned. 'l'he Christian course is one of faith and obedience, of love and patience, of devotion to God and benevolence toward men. II. THE SPECTATORS. It was the presence of the illustrious from every part of Greece which gave such peculiar dignity to the Olympian and the Isthmian games. In the Christian race, they who run are encompassed by a "great cloud of witnesses"- the Church militant and triumphant, the glorious angels, and the Divine Lord himself looking on with the deepest interest, and perhaps justifiable anxiety. III. THE COM!lATANTS. We are not to resLrict these to apostles, to preachers, to public labourers for Christ. Every disciple is a spiritual athlete, is called upon to run the race, to maintain the struggle. No room in the course for the indolent and inactive. l\". THE DISCIPLTh"'E AND PllEPARA'l'ION, It is well known that for many months the athletes who aspired to the victor's wreath were obliged to undergo severe discipline, under the guidance and care of a skilful trainer, who required them to deny themselves many pleasures, to endure much fatigue, hardship, and suffering. Paul reminds us of the necessity of being temperate in all things, of bringing under the body-buffeting it with many blows. The Christian life is not one of ease and self- indulgence; it is one of strenuous effort and self-denial. They who strive for masteries must strive lawfully, must accept and obey the Divine conditions of the course. V. Trm EFFORT. The "one" combatant who received the prize did so as the result of great effort, strenuous and persevering. For neither apathy nor weariness were compatible with success. "So rnn," say,; the apostle, meaning that we are to imitate, 11ot those who fail, but him who succeeds and conquers. What need, in living unto Christ, is there of diligence, of watchfulness, and above all of endurance! VI. THE PRIZE. At the isthmus this was a chaplet of pine leaves, which soon fadec.. Yet its JJOsscssion was coveted, and was counted a reward for the training and the toil. How much more should the Christian be animated by the prospect of an eternal inheritance and an amaranthine crown!-T. Ver. 25.-" An incorruptible crown." There was an ardour of temperament, a resolutenc,ss of purpose, in the constitution and moral life of l:'aul, which mado the imagery of tliis passage peculiarly congenial to his soul. He was fired with a sacred a,ubition, and he sought to inspire his hearers and readers with something of his own enthusiasm. His glowing imagination could realize something of the glory ;sained by the successful athlete wl10 was welcomecl with honour in his native state, en. 1x. 1-27.] THE FIRST El'ISTLE TO THE CORINTHIANS. 303
whose statue was shaped in marble by some illustrious sculptor, and whose praise was ~mbalrued in verse deathless as that of Pindar. How much more must he, with his cleared moral perceptions, his elevated spiritual aims, have sympathized with the prospects which inspired nll true Christian athletes, who endured an earthly strife and hoped to gain a heavenly diadem! I. THE GIVER OF THE CROWN. Christ has himself contended, suffered, and overcome; on his head are many crowns. He is the Lord of the course and the conflict. Coming from such hands, the recompense must be infinitely precious. He sweetens the girt he bestows by words of gracious approval. He counts the crowns of his people as his own. II. 'fHE WEARER OF THE CROWN. He who is to partake the throne, the triumph, must first share the strife and bear the cross of Jesus. The crown of thorns comes before the crown of victory and empire. They who shall hereafter triumph a.re they who now and here strive and suffer, endure and hope. Their contest must be lawfully conducted and strenuously maintained. It is they who are "faithful unto death" to whom is promised the fair crown of life. III. 'l'HE VALUE OF THE CROWN. It is a gift, and not a reward to which there is .a just, claim; there is no case of merit here. At the same time, it is an expression of satisfaction and approval, and coming from Christ has in consequence a peculiar value to his people. The Isthmian wreath was in itself of no worth; its value lay in the witness it bore to the wearer's prowess. But the Christian's crown is not only .a token of Divine approbation; it is accompanied by substantial recompense, especially by promotion to rule and authority. He who is crowned is made "ruler over mauy things." IV. THE IMPERISHABLENESS OF THE CROWN. It is not a material crown, like the wreath of fading leaves. It is a crown of righteousness and of life, and is consequently in its nature immortal. It is worn in the land of incorruption and of immortality, It blooms perennially in the atmosphere of heaven. PRACTICAL LESSO~s. 1. Here is an appeal to the aspiring. Why seek earthly clistinctions which must pass away, when within your reach is the unfading crown of glory? 2. Here is an inspiration and stimulus to the Christian combatant. Why grow weary in the race, why sink faint-hearted in the contest, when there is stretched forth, before and above you, the Divine and imperishable crown of life ?-T.