Ver. 6.-" Some are fullen asleep." Rleep is a metaphor for death, which has been employed by the heathen poets, and by the r!l-bbinical writers, as well as by the inspired penmen of the Old and New 'l'estamcots. Dut Christianity has given to the figure an especial sanction and an especial appropriatene~s. I. Oua Lonn HIMSELF HAS SET THE EXAMPLE OF DESIGNATING DEATH AS SLEEP, In speaking of Jairus•~ daughter, he said, "The mairlcn is not dead, but sleepeth;" and of Lazarus be said, "Our friend Lazarus slcepeth." As on both tbese occasions he was misunderstood; it would seem that the usage was not a familiar one. Dut as he spake, i,t was natural and right ~hat his disciples also should speak. ]J. LJEA'l'H TO THE C1mISTIAN IS SLEEP, FOR IT COMES AT THE CLOSE OF THE DAY'S TOJL. "Alter life's fitful fever be sleeps well," is language which Shakespt·are uses with reference to the mnrdered Duncan. llut how far more approp1fate is such language when used witb reference to tbose who have served Goel faithfully anrl diligently during mauy years and who rest rrom their labours! "David, af1er he had 8erved his own ~euerauon, fell on sleep; " and the expression is one suitable iu applic.1t1on to every true servant of the Divtue Lord. "How blcst the righteous when he <lies 1 When sinks e. we11ry soul to rest, I-I"w mildly beam the closing eyes I How geutly heaves the expiring breast I" cm. xv. 1-58.J THE FIRST EPISTLE TO '!'HE CORINTHIANS. 521»
Ill, DEATII TO TIIE CIIRISTIAN IS SLEEP, FOR IT IS THE LIBERATION OF TRE SPIRIT FROM EARTH AND ITS COMMUNION WITR HEAVEN. The body of the slave or or the exile may be still and silent in slumber, an,l the spirit may in the visions of the night wander to the congenial scenes of home, and may irnigine the renewal of brvken ties and the resumption or suspended joys. And in this sleep is the emblem or that death throucrh which Christ's people, absent from the body, are present with the Lord. On earth a~d in the life of the body, during the walk of faith, it sometimes seems that the beloved Saviour is far away, and that eternal joys are imagiuary and remote. But when the frame sinks into the slumber of dissolution, the spirit wings its flight to the land where Jesus is, and where arc pleasures for evermore. IV. DEATH TO THE CHRISTIAN IS SI,EEP, BECAUSE IT IS FOLLOWED BY THE GLORIOUS! AND EVERLASTING AWAKENING. "An eternal sleep,, is the expression of the heathen poets, not of the Christian teacher. On the contrary, the whole argument or this chapter is to banish such a notion, and to substitute for it one far more bright and blessed and far more true. Even the ancient prophet foretold that many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake to everlasting life. And we know that "Christ bath been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of them that are a~leep." It shall be an awaking which shall fill the saints with surprise and satisfaction and infinite joy, and which shall be a new and marvellous revelation of the love and life of God to natures purified and glorified.-'!'.
Vers. 9, 10.-Humility and self-assertion. No writer is more given to paradox tLan the Apostle Paul. An eager, impulsive nature is wont to realize vividly every side of truth that is presented, and seems consequently to fall into inconsistencies. Ilut such a nature is usually remarkably sincere and trustworthy. Such was the case with the apostle, and no candid reader can doubt that the language of the text represents the real facts of the case. I. AN ASSERTION OF PERSONAL HUMILITY. 1. Paul occupied a singular posilion among the apostles, inasmuch as he had not, like the others, been privileged to enjoy the society of the Divine Lord durin_!:!; his earthly ministry, but bad been called by Christ long after the Ascension. 2. Paul took shame to himself because he had per- secuted the Church of God, which ha<l been constituted through the labours and zeal ot· the other apostles and their colleagues. On these two grounds he deemed himself the least of the apostles, and eveu unworthy or the apostolic name. Such humility is rare; it secures the approval of him who regards the lowly and raises them up, who exalts the humble and meek; it commends itselr to the Master who requires a cbihllike spirit as a condition of entrance into the kingdom, and who pronounces a blessing upon the meek. II. A CLAIM OF OFFICIAL EMINENCE. 1. The apostolic office and dignity are attributed to the free favour of the Giver of all. "lly the grace of God I am what I am." 'l'bis was in accordance with Paul's own teachiug that " God bath set some in the Church, first apostles." An honour like this, functions such as it involved, authority such as was connected with it, could come only from God. It is well for every servant of Christ to accustom himself deliberately and constantly to trace up bis possessions and his trust to the Divine Lord and Author of blessing. 2. Paul acknowledged that the gifts bestowed upon him had been diligently and faithfully employed. Grace bad been given, and grace had been found not vain or void. 'l'hat is to say, opportunities, advantages, endowments, had all been used in such a manner as that they hflll been continued and increased. Growing years had brought enlarged powers and enlarged usefulness and influence. 3. Paul claimed pre-emiucnce in labour. His calling, as the apostle of tl.e Gentiles, involved long journeys, many hardships and privations and perils. His ardent temperament, his burning love to his Lord, his grateful and con- 6ecrated disposition, led hirn to undertake and to perform more than had been under- taken and performed by others. It was a necessity alike of his position and of his temperament. Yet it is observable that he no sooner claimed to be first in toil, than he reminded himself that what he did was not his doing, but the fruit of God's grace towards him. If humility passes into self-assertion, self-nssertion returns to humility.-T.
Ver. 17.-A vain faith. It often happens that men accept certain notions without 526 THE FIRST EPISTLE TO THE CORINTHIANS. [cu. xv. 1-68.