The Pulpit Commentary — 1 Corinthians — Section 408

thought and affection and aim, not in any kind of external resemblance. (Note the difference between a body, a living organism, and any mere ir,ert mass the particles of which are bound together simply by mechanical force or even by chemical affinity.) ln every form of human society it is the sense of individuality combined with the sense of mutual sympathy that constitutes the real cementing principle. It is a fellowship of life that binds men together, and not the constraint of outward circumstance. The oneness of a family lies, not in the fact that its members dwllll together under the same Toof or bear the same name, but in the common sympathies and affections that grow out of their natural kinship, The oneness of an army lies in the enthusiasm of its de'l"otion to the common cause, far more than in the force of military discipline. The one- ness of a nation is not the mere accident of its coming within one geographical boundary, but the spirit of loyalty and patriotism that pervades its citizens. So in the Christian commonwealth, we cannot be too careful to distinguish between its formal aspects and associations, and those relations that are internal and spiritual and in which the living and enduring reality of it lies. The fact of men forming themselves into a visible society, calling themselves by the same name, meeting in the same place, consenting to the same creed, using the same language, joining in the same modes of worship, doing the same work, does not make them one in Christ. These are but the outward signs and symbols of unity. They may be the mocking semblances of it. They have no value unless they represent what is real and spiritual and divinely true. In this unity of spiritually related parts, each member has its own pr<Yper place and function, and the beauty and harmony of the whole structure lie in its faithfully fulfilling it (Eph. iv. 16). We best serve the interests of others when we are most simply and honestly "ourselves;" when we think our own thought, speak our own word, do our own deed; when the whole outward form and habit of our Christian life is just the natural outcome of what is deepest and truest within us. Anything that tends to weaken the sense of individuality; anything that prompts us to play a part that is not "our own," anything that tends to obliterate natural differences and reduce all to one common level of artificial sameness,-is altogether evil (vers. 17-19). Some parts of the body are small, hidden, apparently insignificant. But those who are best acquainted wHh its structure know well that they are not for that reason the less important and even essential. Let them fall out of their place or cease to discharge their function, and it may be the whole fratne would suffer dislocation or sink into decay. The true Christian spirit will teach us never to make light of our position, or the sphere we fill, or the influence it is given us to wield. It will make us "content to fill a little space," so that our Lord may but be glorified. And if true to the light that shines within us, and to the noblest impulses of which we are conscious, we only faithfully do our work in lowly allegiance to him and loving helpfulness towards our fellows, we may find in the end bow true it is that "God bath given more abundant honour to that part that lacked" (ver. 24:). Ill. THE ENDS FOR WHICH IT EXISTS. The body is created to be the vehicle and organ. of the indwelling soul, the cha!!nel through which its bidden virtues shall reveal them- selves, the instniment by means of which it mny work out its nobler purposes. '!'he Gospel records in no way satisfy our curiosity in reference to the physical form an<l: feature of Jesus. But we may be very sure of this, that the body in which he nppearecl was o. fitting vehicle for the Divine soul that inhabited it. It was as a transparent med111m, through which the radiance of the spiritual beauty within must often bavo streamed forth in a way that commanded the bouour and admiration of men. Let the Church be true to its high calling, so shall the glory of the indwelling Christ shine through it upon the dark world, drawing all men to him. Upon every section of the Church, and every individual member of the body, accordiug to its measure, this responsibility rests.-W. Ver. 21.-Mutual service. These words indicate, not only the principles that ought to govern the Church of Christ, but also the Divine order and 1:i.w of all human society. The New Testament Church, like the ancient Jewish commonwealth, bears a representative character. We have to regard it, not only as a spiritual fellowship distinct from the world, united by a different bond, ruled by different laws, inspired by a different spirit, living a different life, advancing to a diffcrcut llestiuy, but also U6 THE FIRST EPISTLE TO THE CORINTHIANS. [on. xu. 1-31.