Vers. 15, 16.-Service and honour. As the family that had first in Achaia received the gospel, Stephanas and his household were regarded by the apostle with peculiar interest and affection. The manner in which they are introduced in this passage is highly instructive and suggestive. I. THE VOCATION TO SPJRI'l'UAL MINISTRY. 1. Its first condition is sincere personal adhesion to Christianity. Stephanas and his household were converted, baptize,l, and well instructed in the Christian faith. It was when they had become penetrated with the Spirit of Christ that they were impelled to holy and devoted service. Wo cannot expect men and women to become unselfish labourers for the welfare of their fellow-men, until they have come under the new and Divine motive and power. 2. Christian ministries are of many and very various kinds. These vary with the capacity and opportunity of the labourers, and the necessities of those whose welfare is sought. Too limited a view of ministry is frequently taken; the fact is, that what- ever service men render to their fellow-men, for the sake of Christ, is a Christian ministry. Not only the preaching of the gospel, but the instruction of tbe young, the nursing and healing of the sick, the showing of kindness and hospitality, the 8Upporting with generosity of benevolent undertakings, all fall into this cla8s. 3. Services of such kinds involve both labour and co-operation. His people find a pleasure in offering to Christ, their Lord, that which costs them something. And they delight to help one another; some leading and others following, but all setting before them 56! TIIE F.iRST EPISTLE TO TIIE COIUNTHIANS. [en. xvi. 1-21.
the same end, and toiling in the same spirit. 4. Ministerin<" "unto the saints" is an especial form of acceptable service. From the begiunin"° Churches have cared for their widows, and for their poor and aged members. Th~ household of faith has e. peculiar claim upon the sympathy and affection and liberal support of the Saviour's friends. II. THE HONOUR AND SUBJECTION DUE TO THOSE ENGAGED IN SPIRITUAL MINISTRY. 1. They should be treated with especial regard and gratitude. Paul himself honoured the good Stephanas and his like-minded wife and household, and he reminded the Corinthians that a family among themselves so distinguished in the annals of the Church, and so dear to the apostle's heart, should be esteemed hi()'hly in love for their wo:k's sake. 2. They had a claim upon such as were in a position to render them help in the good cause. Doubtless it was the case at Corinth, as elsewhere that the burden was too readily left upon the shoulders of those disposed to bear it.' But this ought not to be. "\Vben one man is seen working bard for Christ bis nei()'bbour should put t_o himself the question?" C~n I help my _br?thei:, r:Iieve him of some p~ssure, or render bis labour more effective? ' 3. Subm1ss1on 1s, m many cases a duty in Christian Churches. There are those whom we should be ready not only to work with but to work under.-T.
Ver. 18.-Spiritual refreshment. The three honoured members of the Christian society at Corinth who came to Ephesus, came officially as a deputation to consult the inspired apostle upon matters of faith and practice. But their visit was not. simply official ; for all three were personally attached to Paul, and their sentiments of affection were reciprocated by the fervent nature of the apostle of the Gentiles, whose largeness of heart was even more conspicuous than his keenness of intellect. The grateful language in which Paul acknowledges the benefit he had received from intercourse with bis visitors, is suggestive of thought regarding the refreshment of spirit which is one happy result of Christian associations. L THE :NEED ALL SO]l(ETI]l(ES FEEL OF SPIRITUAL REFRESHMENT. 1. Work may be burdensome, and even oppressive, and may weigh down the soul as well as the body. 2. 'l'rials, desertion of friends, disappointment in fellow-labourers, etc., may distress the soul and dispose to melancholy. 3. Living much alone and in one's own occupations is wearisome to the spirit; the energies flag; the quality of work suffers; gloom tnkes possession of the life. 'l'bese and many other causes render it most desirable that the thirsting, fainting spirit should be reanimated by some suitable influences. II. THE APPOIKTED AGENTS OF SPIRITUAL REFRESHMENT. Letters and books are precious, but in the case before us they are inadequate. Living companionship, the society of those like-minded with ourselves, alone can meet the requirements of the case. Not only so; sympathizing friends have a peculiar power of restoring the equilibrium of the soul. Sympathy was what Paul sought and valued. It is hard to do even work for Christ without the smile and word of encouragement which our brethren in the Lord are able to give us. IIL THE ]l(EAKS OF SPIRITUAL REFRESH]l(ENT. The presence of Christian friends is much; but their conversation, the opening of their hearts, the inquiry concerning our labours, successes, and failures,-these are all much to be desired. .l\'ot only the ccmmunication of knowledge and advice from our superiors, but the friendly conversa- tion of our equals, and even the sympathy and heart-revelation of those in some resrects beneath us, may prove truly recruiting to our energies and restorative to our sp:rits. l V. THE RESULTS OF SPIRITUAL REFRESHMENT. 1. Depression gives place to cheer- fulness. 2. Weariness gives place to vigour. 3. Sluggishness gives place to vivacity. 4. Despondency gives place to hope. 5. Inefficiency gives place to successful labour. 6. Doubt gives place to living confidence. In all iB seen the operation of that Spirit of grace who does not disdain to work in and through the lowliest of Christ's sincere disciples and friends.-T. Vers. 19, 20.-Christian greetings. In St. Paul's Epistles personal messages occur in juxtaposition with doctrinal statements and arguments and moral counsels. Their occurrence makes us feel the true humanity of thiB method of religious communication; en. xvI. 1-24.] THE FIRST EPISTLE TO TllE CORINTHIANS. 665