The Pulpit Commentary — 1 Corinthians — Section 472

Vers. 7-11.-0hristian intelligence the medium of Christian growth. The point presented in these verses _appears to be that the Church is not really edified, save as the teachings presented to it appeal to the understanding. "Everythin" for use, and every_thing in _its place, is a rule, the apostle is sayi~g, that holds in spiritual gifts and exercises, as m e,·eryth1ug else. If you speak with tongues, let it not be as only making strange noises, but let some one interpret, that tll() tongues may edify, and not be sounds without a meaning. It will not do for Christians to be more unmeaning and idle in spiritual gifts than even things without life themselves, the pipes, and harps, and trumpets, and drums of music; for these, when they give a sound, give it with distinc- tions that have a meaning and a power, else they are nought to us. Are voices and tongues to be less intelligent and significant than tubes of unconscious horn or metal?" (H. Bu~lmell, D.D.). Inquire: 1. How far it is true that all influences bearing upon the edification of the Church must appeal to the understanding. So far as edification includes right views of truth and right feelings about truth, the fitting acceptance of a Divine revelation, and the worthy expression of the principles declared in that revelation, the appeal must be to the mind. 2. Under what limitations must this Etatement be set. John Howe (' Works,' vol. ii. p. 75) says," Nor do I believe it can ever be proved that God never doth immediately testify his own special love to holy souls, without the intervention of some part of his eternal Word, made use of as a present instrument to that purpose, or that he always doth it in a way of methodical reasoning therefrom." God usually works through the understanding, but he may use influences which bear at once upon heart and emotion. It must be observed, however, tl,at such influences are but of temporary benefit, if they are not duly supported by intellectual considerations and mentally established principles. 3. Argue from these points the value and importance of an adequately educated and fully cultured ministry; showing, and efficiently illustrating, the relations of such an instructive ministry to (1) family piety, (2) liberal apprehensions of revealetl truth, (3) social intercourse of Christian people, and (4) sober Christian activities.-R. T. Ver. 20.-The Christian both a child and a man. The apostolic counsel here given bears immediate relation to the exaggerated estimate of the value of the "gift of toncrues" which prevailed in the Church at Corinth. "Their conduct in exalting these • to~gues,' against which he has been warning them, is a p_roof_that !hey are yet children in knowledo-e. They ou"ht to be full grown; the only thrng m whwh they ought to be children is ~vil, and in that they cannot be too young, too inexperienced; they should be merely 'infants.' " There is a sense in which all Christians must be children. There is a sense in which all Christians must be "men,"" perfect," "full grown." 'l'o express the thought of the apostle in a sharply defined sentence-" lle childlike, but not childish." Refer to Bible sentiments about children. It seems always impressed with the little idea of evil which young children have. T~ke a thousandfold forms of hu~an sin and transgression, and you will find that the little child can form no concepl1on of the rneanin"s of the terms in which you express them. 'l'he young child is the type of simplicity ;nd innocence. llut, in this pas,age, the apostle is rather thinking of the friendliness of children, of their readiness to forgive; they seldom or ever are found "bcariog malice." Illustrating the point that the Christian should be both a child and a man, we notice- !. \VHAT CHILD-CITARACTE!l!STICS SHOULD WE FIND IN A CrrllISTIAN? George Mac- <lonald in a Christmas sermon, given in 'Adela Cathcart,' very suggestively says, « It is 'as if God spoke to each of us according t.o our neetl: Jliy son, my da·ightcr, 011. xtv. 1-40.] THE FIRST EPISTLE TO THE CORINTI-IIA~S. 481