V ers. 1-15.-The support of the ministry. Paul recognizes a ministry set apart. J. 'l'HE RIGHT OF MINISTERS TO CLAIM ADEQUATE SUPPORT FROM THEIII PEOPLE. Enforced by: 1. .Analogy. (1) The soldier who gives his services to his country receives maintenance. (i) 'l'ho planter of a vineyard eats of its fruit. (3) 'l'he ·shepherd finds the means of his support in the flock which he tends. The Christian minister is a soldier, fighting the battles of the Lord nnd of his Church; a labourer in the vineyard of Christ, planting, watering, pruning, trni □ ing; a shepherd, watching over the sheep and lambs of his flock, seeking the wandering, correcting the rebellious, lead- ing, feeding, etc. 2. The Mosaic Law. (1) The ox treading the corn was unmuzzled, that he might feed as well as toil (ver. 9; Dent. xxv. 4). 'l'he apostle claims that this was commanded more with au eye to men than t.o oxen (ver. 10). (2) The priests and Levites lived on the things of the temple. Here the parallel becomes more striking. 'rhe ministers under the old dispensation were supported out of the offerings of the people: why should not the ministers of the new be also? Moreover, this oblaiue,l amongst men generally. Even the heathen perceived its fitness. 3. Common sense. It is reasonable that those who give up their time, energies, and gifts to the service of the Church should be supported by it. 'l'his is seen morn strikingly when we remember that what is received by the Church is of infinitely more value than what is given: "If we have sown unto you spiritual things, is it a great thing if we shall reap your carnal things?" 'l'he Church is not a loser, but a great gainer. What blessings God has bestowed in the past through the channel of a faithful ministry? What may he not in the future, to ourselves, our friends, our children? 4. The express ordination of Christ. As though the preceding strong arguments were not strong enough, this the strongest and altogether unanswerable one is added. 'l'he Head of the Church ,commands. Ho sees what is fitting and best. \Ve rnn counter to his mind if we Jo 30! THE FlRST EPISTLE TO. THE CORINTIIL\NS. [cH. Ix. 1-~i'..
not yield prompt and willing obedience. "\Vhate\•er we may think, this is what ii~ thinks (Matt. x. 10; Luke x. 8). Miuisterial support: (1) Should be rendered cheer- fully. Grudging or tardy girt iu such a matter is semi-disobedience to Christ, and not a littl~ dish~nouring to _tl!e gh:ers. (2). Should not be reganled as an equivalent for what 1s received. A mm1ster 1s not paid for what he does. He is not in receipt of a salary. 1:his is a degrading vi~\~ of the whole matter. A minister is supported, whilst he lays lnmself out for the spmtual profit of I.hose amoncrst whom his lot is cast-. (3) Should be sufficient. A due estimate of the advautag;s derived from a faithful ministry will prompt to a generous support, so that, amid many spiritual cares, temporal anxieties may not unduly press. A Clmrch failing to adequately support its ministers,. whilst possessing the ability to do so, inflicts much injury upon its ministers, but much more upon itself. Matthew Henry says," A scandalous maintenance makes a scandalous ministry." • II. 'J'HE RIGHT MAY PROFITABLY BE WAIVED UNDER CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES, 1. To remove prejudice. 2. To prove disinterestedness, showing that we are not actuated by love of lucre. 3. To gain more independence, which may be desirable under certain con- ditions of Church life. 4. To make a strong position for one's self when unjust charges are apprehended. The Apostle Paul would not give the least advantacre to his enemies_ 5. For any other reasons which promise profit to the interests of Chri;t's kingdom. H thereby we can" gain the more" (ver. 19). There is nothing derogatory in a minister supporting himsel'.. It is ~ pity that the_re should be so much absurd prejudice against it. A marvel of rncongrmty that the title of " Rev." should be bestowed upon the minister who is supported by his people, and denied to the minister who follows the lead of the apostolic tent-maker i that the one should be welcomed to certain associa- tions and circles, and the other kept at arm's length I Not that the title of " Rev." is appropriate for any; yet if ever a man deserved such a designation, I suppose it was the very apostle, who, according to modern notions, disqualified himself for it. As to privileged societies, men of good sense need scarcely worry themselves about being excluded from those which would have blackballed the apostle of the Gentiles.-H. Vers.16, 17.-Compulsory gospel preaching. I, THE TRUE MINISTER DECOMES SUCK NOT DY MERE CHOICE OR PREDILECTION. Preaching the gospel is: 1. Not easy. 2. Often disheartening. 3. Its joys come rather after triumph over natural inclination. 4. 'l'oo responsible to be undertaken without authority. II. THE TRUE MINISTER BECOMES SUCH BECAUSE OF: l. God's command. Uttered to heart--a "Divine call," corroborated by suitability, confirmed by blessing on labours. 2. Claims of follow-creatures. 3. Conscientious promptings towards service. III. THOSE CALLED TO THE MINISTRY DARE NOT REFUSE. " woe is unto me, if L preach not the gospel!" To refuse would involve: 1. God's displeasure. 2. The blood of our fellows resting upon us. 3. The non-employment of gift8, and the consequences of this.-H. Ver. 22.- Soul-saving. The great apostle of the Gentiles was a singular man and lived a strange life. Some looking at him pronounced him to. be a fool; others, a madman. He seemed, indeed, strangely destitute of that wisdom which places self- interest in the front, and incites to the pursuit of position, power, and the praise of men. "When brought to a knowledge of the truth, the future apostle relinquished the course which he had mapped out, and his association with Gamaliel and the great teachers. He commenced with gigantic self-sacrifice: why? He desired to save souls. He became a great traveller-from city to city, town to town, village to village, he went on untiringly: why? To save souls. He underwent extreme sufferings (2 Cor. xi. 24-29)-to save souls. He exposed himself constantly to danger and death-to save 11ouls. With the Jew he banished from his mind all Gentile tendencies-to save the Jew. With the Gentile he severed himself from all Jewish partialities-to save the Gentile. He was willing to be anything or nothing, to do this or that, if by any means he might "save some." Soni-saving had become a master-passion of his soul. He was in the world for it. Everything must be subordinated to it. . I. WHY WAS PAUL so DESIROUS TO SAVE SOULS? He remembered: 1. The value of the soul. Of this he had the deepest conviction. To him the soul of man was the most. e,::. 1x. 1-2i.] THE FIRST EPISTLE TO THE CORINTHIA~S. 30fi"