Vers. 1-4.-0hurch gifts, There arc few interests in human life which can be separated from the consideration of money. Money is the first necessity of govern- ments, and it is the sinews of war, In business, in professional life, in industrial pursuits, pecuniary considerations are prominent, perhaps paramount. It is no other- wise in religion; and, however some superfine Christians may object to associatincr anything so base as money with what is the loftiest of human interests, no way ha~ been found of excluding money matters from the Church of Christ. Indeed, as Chris- tianity claims to affect and to control all that is human, there seems no possibility of excluding anything so important as money from its range. I THE PURPOSES TO WHICH CHURCH GIFTS SHOULD BE DEVOTED, The contributions gathered in Achaia, Macedonia, and other places, at the instance of the apostle, were for the poor Christians of Jewish race at Jerusalem. There is no reason to suppose that all the methods and practices of the primitive Churches were unexceptionable. We have to deal with aims, with impulses ancl principles, not with details of method and administration. And we cannot question that the relief of the poor, and especially of the Christian poor, is a lawful and becoming means of displaying practical brotherly love, Wisdom, discrimination, ought indeed to be exercised, but for the direction and not for the extinction of liberality. II. THE METHOD IN WHICH CHURCH CONTRIBUTIONS SHOULD BE MADE. From this passage, containing principles of apostolic authority, we learn that such setting apart of our substance to benevolent and ecclesiastical purposes should be: 1. Periodical. Some have, indeed, held that the words of the apostle especially sanction the devotion 0f money ns an observance peculiarly appropriate to the Lord's day, In any case, regularity is enjoined, 2. In proporticn to means, There is both common sense and Chtistian feeling in the apostle's direction as to the measure of liberality. The poor man gives of his poverty, and the rich man of his wealth; whatever is consecrated being regarded as an acknowledgment that all is from God. 3. In preparation and accumulation. 'l'o avoid a sudden levy or collection upon the apostle's arrival, he recommends that each shall lay by him in store, so that the product may be ready to hand when the day comes that it is wanted. III, THE WAY IN WHICH CHURCH GIFTS SHOULD BE APPROPRIATED AND ADMINISTERED, Paul· showed his wonted wisdom in the arrangements he suggested. 1. Personal ministration should be employed. Everything, especially everything connected with money, should be open and above-board, 'l'he givers choose the bearers of the gift. 2. 'l'he manner of apportionment should be altogether above any possibility or suspicion, Of such precautions Paul has set us an admirable and excellent exarnple.-T.
Ver, 9.-The open door and many adversaries. Ephesus evidently had, as a scene of labour, many attractions for the ardent and fearless spirit of the Apo~tle Paul. Its vast population, its devotion to idolatry, the excitability of its inhabitants, all rendered it a congenial field for such a worker. And the opposition he encountered and the danger he braved, it is plain from the narrative, made him feel the city all the more to be an honourable and attractive post for a bold and faithful soldier of Jesus Christ. I, 'fHE OPP0nTUNITY OF SERVICE FOR CHRIST REPRESENTED IN THIS FIGURATIVE LANGUAGE. A door offerij the means of admittance to a house, and an open door invites approach and entrance. In Scripture a door is often used to express the opportunity t't> do God's will and advanca his cause. So here, the apostle represents by this figurative lauguage the summons which Providence addressed to him to evan- gelize this great city of Asia Minor. The citizens and visitors were numerous, the idolatry and vice which prevailed were flagrant, human sorrows and difficulties and temptations abounded; so that there was abundant room for evangelistic and pastoral labour. Further, there seems to have been in some quarters a remarkable and gratify- ing readiness. to hear the gospel of Christ, II. THE HINDRANCES TO SERVICE FOR CHRIST HERE ALLUDED TO. 1. Observe from what quarters it came, The narrative in the Book of the Acts makes it evident that opposition to Christian preaching arose from both Jews and Gentiles, On different grounds sinful men oppose the truth. It always has been so. It was so in the time of our Lord, and the disciple, the servant, must not expect or desire to be above his I. C0RINTHIA!II!, 20 5G2 TI-IE FIRST EPISTLE TO 'l'HE CORIN'l'HIANS. [cu. XVI. 1-24~
llfaskr. 2. Observe what forms it took. Slander and secret misrepresentation was• one "·ay in which adversaries sought to hinder the truth. And another was open hostility and violence. This we know to have been put in motion at Ephesus ngainst the apostle. The ignorant and impassioned mob was stirred up to oppose tho work of Paul; in this sense, at all events, he fought with beasts at Ephesus. Ill, THE COMPAT!DILITY OF GREAT OPPORTUNITIES AND MANY ADVERSARIES, It is certainly a paradoxical statement. Yet reflection will show that there is no red inconsistency. 1. Hindrances, calumnies, serve to draw attention to any cause, and the gospel is sure to profit by anything which leads men to inquire into it.. 2. These obstacles serve to test the quality of the labourers, and to brina out couraae and resolution and patience where such qualities are required. 3, They always an~wer a valuable purpose in testing the sincerity of the converts. Times of persecution are times of testing. IV. THE ATTRACTION THIS COMDINATION BAD FOR THE APOSTLE. 1. It called forth and employed his many and remarkable powers. 2. It enabled him to realize his fellowship with his Master. 3. It promised great results of spiritual good. APPLICATIOK. 1. Enter in, Christian labourers, at every open door I 2. Be fearless of adversaries !-T.