The Pulpit Commentary — 1 Corinthians — Section 309

Ver. 16.-0ompulsory service. The apostle here affords us a passing glimpse of his own state of mind in reference to his high calling as a "preacher of the gospel." The revelaticn of the secret workings of an earnest human spirit must needs be deeply interesting to us, and most of all in the case of a man of such noble nature as Paul, and in reference to a matter of such supreme moment. We could scarcely have a finer view of the ministry of the ·word, a finer model of right thought and feeling about it, than is presented in these simple but lofty words. Chiefly three elements of feeling are here expressed. I. A SENSE OF THE DIGNITY OF THE PREACHER'S OFFICE. The preaching of the word i.s evidently regarded here as a fixed and permanent institution of the Church, a work to which men are divinely called to consecrate themselves, and from which they may draw the necessary support of their life (ver. 14). And the fact that Paul disavows all self-glorying on account of it, implies that there is that in the office which might lead a man unduly to exalt himself. But what is the real nature of its Jignity? It is very different from that which belongs to social rank or any kind of worldly distinction. Much mischief springs from losing sight of this difference. Ever since the time when a halo of worldly glory began to be thrown around the witness for Christ, and the ideas of social elevation, priestly supremacy, large emolument, luxurious ease, came to be associated with it, it has been degraded by the intrusion of false motive, and by bemg made the prize of a purely carnal ambition. '1.'he dignity Paul recognizes in it is that which is inhP.rent in all high and holy service; the honour he would havo paiJ to it i~ that which is due to a faithful discharge of sacred responsibility. The dignity of the preacher's function lies in such facts as those: 1. It brinys a man, more thau any other office does, into habitual contact with the mind of God and with the realities of the invisible world. Not that he who sustains it has in this respect a privilege deuietl to others. Every path of human life may be thus gilded and gladdened by the heavenly glory. But it is his special business, by habits of thought and prayer, to become moro deeply conversant than other men with the revelations of God and the things unseen and eternal. Aud the fact that his work demands that mind aud heart shoulJ be ever dwelling in such a high spiritual region, imparts a greatness and dignity to it surpassing that of all others. 2. It brings him into a purely spiritual relationship with his fellow- men. Other human relations arc more superficial. 'l'he world recognizes no bonds of union but such as grnw out of the passing interests and experiences of this present life. To the preacher of the gospel, as such, the seculur aspect of the position men occupy is nothing as compared with the spiritual. He "knows no man after the flesh." lfo has to do with the nobler, the immortal part of them, " to watch for their souls as one that must give account." 3. It leads on to eternal issues. All the granucnr of the endless futurity overshadows it. None of our eartlily businesses have rel"crence merely to the issues of time. Lines of moral influence arc connected with them that stretch out into the great hereafter. Dut this is specially tho case with the work of the Christian teacher. It must have infinite developments. It is the seeJ-su1\iug for an Jl2 Tl, •~ FIHST EPISTLE TO TIIE COilJNTHIANS. [c:11. 1x. 1-2,.