The Pulpit Commentary — 1 Corinthians — Section 380

be dealt with solemnly, thoughtfully, reverently. We must enter into the meanin"' of the feast, and through the outward re11ch the inward and spiritual. At the supper we do not halt at the emblems; we have fellowship with Christ, we remember him we renew our vows, we profess to be his followers, we show forth his death "till he cor:ie." Now, many things may hinder us from doing this, and thus cause us to eat and drink -unworthily; such as: (1) Thoughtlessness, leading to irreverence. (2) Ignorance of the meaning of the ordinance. This may be very culpable ignorance. (3) Unconverted -con<litiou. Quite unfit for supper because have nut received what it sets forth. (4) \Vorldly spirit. " Ye cannot serve God and mammon." We may be trying, and thus be charging_Christ with falsehood, eve_u as w~ approa?h his table. (5) Unbrotherly feeling. That which separates us from believers 1s very likely to -separate us from Christ. (6) Immorality. If we hug sin, we cannot embrace the Saviour. Such unworthy participation involves: (1) Guilt. We become guilty of the body and blood of the Lord seeing that our sin is concentrated upon that observance which specially sets thes~ forth. (2) Punishment. "For this cause many are weak and sickly amonu you and many sleep" (ver. 30). Present chastisement, and, if this prove ineffic~cious' future ar.d final punishment. ' III. A REMEDY. This is not to see that " we are good," according to a very current expression aud impression. In one sense we can never be "fit." ]t is to examine or prove ourselves by (1) appeal to conscience, (2) God'~ Word, (3) God's Spirit. And what we have to ascertain is whether we (1) revent of sin, (2) believe on tbe Lord .Jesus Christ, and (3) are seeking to live in the fear and love of God. If we are right upon these points, Wfl need have no dread in approaching the Lord's table, but rather draw near in joy and confidence aud in anticipation of large spiritual blessing. IV. A WAR::,;-~G. Remark that none are here told to absent themselves from the Lord'~ table. Not even the Corinthians most blamed, an apparent exception being the immoral person (eh. v. 1), and he was excluded only until he had shown repentance for his sin (2 Cor. ii. 7, 8). The reason is that to abstain from the Lord's Supper is .to siu. We ought to be "fit," in the true sense oi the expression. There is only one place which is right for us, and that is at the table. We may be wrong in coming; we must be wrong in staying away. To refrain is to condemn ourselves at once. " This do in remembrance of me" is one of the most sacred of commands. If we are bound to break it because of our carnal and lost state, we do but multiply transgression. We are not bound, for we may escape from the condition which unfits us, and then draw near with boldness and with hope. 'fhere is a false humility restraining many from coming to the Lord's Supper; it is a very false humility and a very deceptive humility -it is the adding of another sin. Away from Christ we are altogether wrong, and in escapin~ from one sin (coming to the table whilst unconverted) we only fall into another (disobeying the dying command of Christ). There is every obligation resting upon us to repent, believe, and live to God; then we are fitted to discharge the other Db]iCTation, "This do in remembrance of me." Failure in the one involves failure in the other, and our condemnation is increased. There is no right place for the .unbeliever.-H. Vers. 31, 32.-The clwstisement of believers. The apostle has been speaking or disorders at the Lord's table and of the Divine judgments which in Corinth had .followed upon the profanation of the sacred feast. He now pursues the latter theme and discourses upon the afflictions which sometimes fall upon the people of God. I. ITS lNFLICTOR, We may well ask," Where do our troubles come from?" 'l'he chastisement of bis people cumes from God. " Whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth" {Heb. xii. 6). God is behind the sorrow. Reflect that: 1. lle sees sufficient cause for the chastisement. This shows that there is sufficient cause. He never sends a trouble with- out a cause, and never without a sufficierd cause. We may not see th~ cause, but he does. 2. He might destroy instead of chastising. '!'here is mercy in the visitation: had there been wrath only, there had been destruction, not chastisement. 3. He may destroy. If chastisement does not bear fruit unto repentance, \\'O shall be cut off as was Israel of old. Here is a solemn warnin" acrainst resisting and resenting Divine chastisement. If we Btiffen our neck and harden °onr heart, we shall be broken with a "rod of iron." We are in the hands of the Omnipotent; let us beware of folly and impiety. 4. Chastise- oH. XL 1-34.J 'l'HE FIRST EPISTLE 'l'O THE CORINTHIANS. 385