The Pulpit Commentary — 1 Corinthians — Section 337

Yer. 12.-The danger c:f selj-crm.fidence. To "Rtand" is to be and to continue upright in the Christian lifr, and they truly stand whoso character and habits a()'ree with their profession. To "fall" is to act with inconsistency, to yield to the tempter, to stumble over the stone of offence, to be caught by the snare which is spread· and this, either temporally or permanently. Life is a probation, and is as much so to the Christian as to others. The apostle puts all his readers npon their guard, remindin()' them that this is a mrne, a period, of probation, anq that the true preparation is not t~ be found m self-confidence and boastfulness, hut in watchfolness, humility, and prayer. "Let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall." I. THE DISPOSITION AGAI~ST WHICH THIS ADMONITION IS DmECTED. It is self-con- fidence. 1. Reli"ance upon outward privileges. As Israel was a chosen nation so Christians are God's " peculiar people ; " and there is danger lest this should be addu~ecl, perhaps to one's self, as a ground for presumption and arrogance. 2. Reliance upon personal strength and pui·ity if character. A man is assured that he can take O'OOd care of himself, that no temptation can overtake and overmaster him, that he is cla°d in armour proof against the fiery darts of the wicked. No need to warn him ; he is safe ! 3. Boastfulness. The man who thinks himself so secure is likely to glory in his own position, his strength of character, his superiority to infirmities,-to make a loud pro- fession, and to regard the timid with a compassionate disdain. II. THE PERILS ACCOllPANYING SUCH A DISPOSITION. Paul knew how necessary and appropriate was his counsel; his own experience of human nature and life, elevated and cleared by a Divine inspiration, led him to this most wise and salutary admonition. 1. Such a peril is suggested by the facts of human nature. It is supposed that there is an inflated, unguarded state of mind; that a violent and sudden temptation comes in the way; and that there follows an unexpected and grievous fall. '!'hat a self-con- fident spirit is more dangerous because more liable to temptation than a lowly spirit, distrustful of self, is well known to all who have experience of human nature. Those who boast of sinlessness are on the verge of sin. 2. Notable examples recorded in Scripture prove the :issertion now made. Hazael was indignant at the very supposition that he could be guilty of barbarities and cruelties such as the prophet foretold; but when the temptation came, he fell into the snare. Peter was vehement in his protesta• tions, "Though I die with thee, I will not deny thee!" Yet when he was tempted •by cowardice, he denied his Lord. III. TIIE EFFECTUAL Rl':MED!EB AGAINST A SPIRITUAL FALL. If self-confidence is of no avail, where is safety to be found? 1. In self-abasement and distrust. 2. In a simple trust in the protecting, preserving, delivering power of God. 3. In watchfulness; for the Christian soldier must never be off his guard ; he must arm himself, watch, aud withstand his foe. 4. In prayer, which is a confession that we are exposed to danger, and is a waiting upon God and seeking his providential interposition and his spiritual aid.-T. Ver. 13.-Temptation. With warning the inspired teacher conjoins encouragement. The self-confident are admonished lest their high opinion of themselves should be the occasion of their fall. And, in the next verse, the timid are cheered by the assurance that, although they must be tempted, a Divine Deliverer shall appear upon their behalf, and they shall be led in the path of safety. This is an assurance consolatory to all who are desirous to turn the discipline of life to high spiritual account, and especially to the doubtful and the diffident. I. TEMPTATION IS PERMITTED BY GoD. 1. Seeing that it is allowed by Providence to be an incident of human life, none need expect to escape. 'l'he young are tempted by the pleasures of sense and of society; the old by avarice and the love of ease; the learned by self-confidence; the great by ambition; the pious and the useful by spiritual pride. 2. There is in this very fact an element of consolation. To every tempted soul it may be said, "Your case is not peculi~r ;_ all the good ha_ve attained to goodn~s.s b;r passing through th~ fiery furnace of afll1ct10n and persec_ut~on, ~f doubt and ~pmtual conflict." Christ himself was sorely tempted, and the cl1sc1ple 1s not above his Lord. It is the common lot, in which we have fellowship with one another and with Christ. II. TEMPTATION IS WITHSTOOD THROlJGII THI': FAITHFULNESS OF GoD. 1. God has nndertaken to defend and deliver his servants: "He knoweth how to deliver the godly CH. x. 1-33.] THE FIRST EPISTLE TO 'l'IIE COilINTilIAXS. 341