Christian's nature, relates him anew and aright to "all things," i.e. to the whole system in which he finds himself, and of which indeed he forms a part. I. LOVE "CONCEALETH ALL 'l'HINGS." The word is one which, perhaps, cannot be confidently interpreted. Ilut it may and probably does mean" conceal" or" cover." And GO ren<lered, how appropriate is it in this place! What so characteristic of true charity as the habit of covering up nnd concealing the faults aud infirmities of our brethren? It is a difficult exercise, especially to an acute and candid mind; but because we see a.n error it is not necessary to publish it. There may be good done and harm avoided by hiding good men's infirmities and the human defects which are to be found even in an excell~nt ·cause. II. LovE "BELIEVETH ALL THINGS." There is no point at which the wisdom of this world and the wisdom which is of God come more violently into conflict than here. To worldly men it seems the height of folly to proceed in human life upon the principle -0f believing all things. This is, in their view, credulity which will make a man the prey of knaves and impostors. Now, the words of the text must not be taken literally. They commend a disposition opposed to suspicion. A suspicious man is wretched himself, a.ad he is universally distrusted and disliked. Where there is reason to distrust a person, even charity will distrust. But, on the other hand, charity cultivates that strain of nobleness in character which prefers to think well of others, and to give credit rather than to question and disbelieve. llf. LovE "HOPETH ALL THINGS." Here again we have portra.yed a feature of Christian character which it needs some spiritual discipline and culture to appreciate. A sanguine disposition is often distrusted, and not unjustly. Ilut we may understand that temper of mind which leads us to hope good things of our fellow-men, and to view with confident expectation the progress of the truth over their nature. IV. LovE "ENDURETH ALL THINGS." This is to most men the hardest lesson of all. Many will cheerfully work from love, who find it no easy matter to ~ulfer calumny, coldness, hatred, persecution, in a loving spirit and for Christ's sake. But we need the spirit of Divine charity to overlook all the assaults of men, and to pray for those who despitefully use us. This can and may be done when the whole nature is inspired with love to God and love to man.-T.
Ver. 8.-" Love never faileth." Prophecies, tongues, knowledge,-these were all matters of immense importance in the Christian community at Corinth, whose member3 prided themselves upon their discernment, their intellectuality, their gifts. And they were not unimportant in the view of that one of the apostles whose mind was both more highly endowed by nature, and more sedulously and effectively disciplined by study, than was the case with his brethren. But let these excellent and beautiful things be brought into comparison with Christian love, and they vanish as the stars of nigl1t when the sun arises in his splendour and power. I. THE CESSATION AND VANISHING OF INTELLECTUAL GIFTS. 1. What they were. '!'hey seem to have been supernatural gifts, highly prized by their possessors, and eagerly coveted by the members of the Christian societies generally. "Prophecy" was the faculty of uttering forth Divine truth. "Tongues" were supernatural utterances, probably of various kin<ls. "Knowledge" is here used in a special sense, equi valcnt to a peculiar spiritual illumination.· Such were the gifts of which these Corinthians were wont to boast. 2. Why it is appointed that these gifts shall cease. Because they were bestowed to serve a temporary purpose, when the barque of Christianity had to bo launched upon the sea of human society, when Christian doctrine needed a. special introduction and a special authentication. There are certain parts of a plant which serve to protect it for a season, which disappear when the plant is mature. A scaffold- ing may be useful for a time; but when the building is completed, it has done its work, and is taken down and carried away. So with these gifts; gooil for a temporary purpose, they may be dispensed with when that purpose is attained. II. 'l'HE UNFAILING LIFE OF LOVE. 1. Love is the special and permanent charac- teristic of the Christian economy. Observe its exemplification in such characters as the .apostles Paul and John. An<l notice that whilst the special gifts referred to have passed away, charity remains the distinctive feature of the Church of Christ in all its varyin~ <:ircumstances and ministrations. 2. Love is permanent in the heavenly and eternal 44.6 THE FIRST EPISTLE TO THE CORINTHIANS. [en. xm. 1-13.
st~te. If faith shall then become trust without misgiving, and hope expectation without uncertainty, love shall then be adoration without coldness, affection without interruption. Love shall b': supreme, and the great Centre of worship and adoration, shall call forth all the aff<'ct1on of the countless host, whilst the members of that vast and glorious society shall find room for the infinite exercise of this peerless grace. III. THE EXPLAKATION OF THE SUPERIORITY AND SuPilEMACY OF LOVE. 1. What calls _it fort~ is permanc~t; there is no limit to the appeal for love made by the consc10us um verse and by its Lord. 2. What fosters and feeds it is permanent· there is no limit to the supply of the Spirit, the power, the grace, of God.-T. '