The Pulpit Commentary — 1 Corinthians — Section 521

Vere. 1-8.-Tne gospel which Paul preached. I. IT WAS A RECEIVED NOT AN ORIGI- NATED, GOSPEL. "For I delivered unto you first of all that which I als; received" (ver. 3). He tells us that he received it by "the revelation of Jesus Christ" (Gal. i. 12). He had the more confidence in it that it was not of himself, and we have also. It came from the very central Source of all. Paul's gospel of Christ came from Christ. Some preachers of the gospel are so able that they feel bound to originate. They throw a new light upon the truth instead of the old light. They preach, as they consider, a rna«ni- ficent gospel, but it is unfortunately "of man,'' and thus worthless. Man can do m';iny things, but he cannot make a gospel. When he tries he advertises his folly. With Paul, we should get as near as we can to the fountain-head-the streams are apt to become contaminated. II. 'fwo coNsPrcuous FEATURES. 1. T!-te atoning death of Christ. Paul preached constantly, untiringly, supremely, the atonement (see his strong expression, eh. ii. 2). He laid greatest emphasis upon the death of Christ. The life was beautiful, fnil of teaching; but in the death was the propitiation for sin. He died for our sins; our sins were so great that they required his death ! " He bore our sins in his own body on the tree.''· And the death of Christ did not come suddenly upon the world. It was "according to the Scriptures:" foretold by the prophets, as, for example,'by Isaiah in the fifty-third chapter of his book. He had no sins of his own to die for; he died for ours. He "gave himself" for us. 2. T!-te resurrection of Christ. This was the demonstration of the efficacy of his death, a proof that he conquered and was not conquered. The real triumph achieved in his death was manifested by his resurrection. A pledge of our resurrection through him. A token of his acceptance by God. (1) The apostle laid stress upon the fact that Christ died. It was no s\\'oon. A real death, and then a real resurrection. He "died" and "was buried" (ver. 4). He rose "the third day," so that for a day and part of two others he was in the sepulchre. Some afterwards denied the actual death of Christ, and thus made void hid resurrection. 'l'he apostle here anticipates their attack. (2) That his re,mrrection accorded with prophecy. It was" according to the Scriptures" (see Ps. xvi. 10). (3) That his resurrection was well attested by witnesses. Paul does not give here all the appearances of Christ after his death, but a selection. (a) .Appearance to Peter (Luke xxiv. 34). (b) 'l'o the twelve. Called by the familiar name" the twelve," though Judas was gone (Luke xxiv. 33-36). (c) 'l'o five hundred brethren. Possibly in Galilee, where intimation of his appearing had been given, and may have been widely known, occasioning a large gathering of his followers (Matt. xxvi. 32 and xxviii. 10, 16). (d) To James. Probably James who presided over the Church at Jerusalem. (e) All the apostles (John xx. 26 or Acts i. 4). (f) To St. Paul. As of one born out of due time. 'l'he least of the apostles . .A grand array of evidence, and yet not all. 'l'he writer and speaker could bear personal testimony. Most of the five hundred were alive and could be interrogated. Others had "fallen asleep" in hope of a glorious resurrection through him who had appeared to them after his own death and burial. III. RESULTS. 1. 11len received it. (Ver. I.) It arrested their attention. It convinced their judgment. It moved their heart. It was adapted to human want. It glorified ordinary life. 2. Men were saved by it. (Ver. 2.) It was the power of God unto ~alvation. Conscience was satisfied. Life was purified and ennobled. Christ was followed. God was frared and served and loved. Death lost its terror. "After death" was paradise. 3. Men stood in this gospel. (Ver. 1.) As long ns they held to it they stood, and having done all, stood. Through it came a power which was" able to keep them from falling." Have we received this gospel? Do we stand in it? Are we saved through it? We need "hold it fast" (ver. 2, Now Version)-grip it and lceep gripping it. .A mere assent will lead to "letting it slip." It has no power to save unle,s we hold it and it holds us.-H. Vere. 9, 10.-Traits of Christian greatness. I. HONESTY. How faithfully Paul ,peaks of himself! How candidly he acknowledges the circumstances connected with Ais apostleship! Yet he had the greatest reason to magnify his authority to the Corinthians. They were ready, many of them, to twist anything to his disadvantage. But he is not moved by this. 'l'o him the eod does not justif.r the means; he must have "nieans" perfectly unquestionable. His candour and truthfulness are striking.  532 THE FIRST EPISTLE TO THE CORINTHIANS. [en. xv. 1-58.