The Pulpit Commentary — 1 Corinthians — Section 543

Vers. 10-12.- Wholesome teaching for the oldei· ministers. "Now if Timotheus. come, see that he may he with you/ etc. Taking these verses as the foundation for a,n address to the senior ministers of the gospel, we say to them- I. SHOW A TE:S-DER REGARD FOR THE INTERESTS OF YOUNG MINISTERS. '" Now ii Timotheus come, see that he may be with you without fear: for he worketh the work of the Lord, as I also do." Timothy was young in years and in the faith as well • a man, too, perhaps of delicate frame and nervous temperament, and probably not distinguished by any great gift, natural or attained. In Corinth there were men of 1,hilosophic fame, brilliant genius, and oratoric force. He would perhaps feel somewhat abashed in tbe presence of such; hence the considerate counsel which Paul addresses to the-Corinthians to treat him kindly, not to" despise him," nor in any way to dispirit him. .Alas! it is not an uncommon thing for elder ministers to disparage the younger ones, and often treat them with disrespect, and even rudeness. II. RISE SUPERIOR TO ALL MINISTERIAL JEALOUSIES. If Paul had been capable of feeling jealousy towards any brother minister, it would have been towards Apollos. He seems to have been a man of distinguished ability and splendid eloquence. Moreover, he was very popular in Corinth, greatly admired and extolled by not a few, perhaps more popular even than Paul himself, the head of one of the factions of the Church against which Paul had been contending. lir,.d he been jealous, Paul would have kept him out of Corinth as long as be could, and have treated him as a rival, instead of which be says, "As touching our brother A polios, I greatly desired him to come unto you with the brethren." Jealousy amongst ministers of the gospel, thou~h a most antichristiao sentiment, is not a very uncommon thing; nay, it is rife, and shows itself often in detracting innuendoes and symbolic looks and shrugs. Ill. BE NOT DISPLEASED IF INFERIOR BRETHREN ACQUIESCE NOT IN YOUR DESIRES. Both the Christian experience and ministerial ability of Apollos were inferior to that of Paul. Notwithstanding this, he did not comply with Paul's request: nor did Paul seem displeased. "His will was not at all to come at this time: but he will come when he shall have conYenient time." If Paul had no authority to enforce his wishes on his brethren, how arrocrant it seems for any uninspired minister to attempt it l The only authority which on~ genuine minister has over another is the authority of superior intelligence,. experience, and moral force. Vers. 13, 14.-The demands of Christianity on its adherents. "Watch ye, stand fast in the faith," etc. Here are certain demands which Christianity makes on all men. I. A demand for VIGILANCE. "Watch ye." A military metaphor this, derived from the duty of those who are stationed to guard a camp or to observe the motions of an enemy. There were many evils, as we have seen, in the Corinthian Church-dissen- sions, heresies, inchastities, intemperances, etc. Hence the necessity of watchfulness. But where do not evils abound? Hosts surround us all, hence, " Watch ye.", "Watch and pray," says Christ. II. A demand for STABILITY. "Stand fast in the faith." Do not be vacillating, wavering, "'tossed about by every wind of doctrine." Strike the roots of your faith. OH. xvL 1-24,] THE FIRST EPISTLE 'fO THE CORINTHIANS. 655