The Pulpit Commentary — Ephesians — Section 267

our worship. It ie thus that the Lord has married the work of earth to the worship of heave11, 3, The rewards of this service : " Knowin" that whatsoever good thing any man doeth, the same shall he receive, , .. whether h~ be bond or free." Whatever disap- pointment may mix itself with the service of men, the Lord will have a rich reward in store for the faithful worker. He is not unrighteous to forget your labour of love, for "of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance" (Col. iii. 24). 4. The honour of the gospel. His Name and his doctrine will be blasphemed by a ce>n- trary spirit (1 Tim. vi. 1 ; Titus ii. 10). 5. The example of Christ himself. He "took upon him the form of a servant;" for" he came not to be ministered unto, but to minister." He always did the things which pleased God, and has set us an example that we should follow in his steps.-T. C. Ver. 9.-.The duties of masters. They needed to be instructed as well as their servants; for they had irresponsible power in their hands, and might be led to use it severely or cruelly. L 'l'HEIB DUTIES WERE RE0IPBOCAL. They were "to do the same things unto them " -not the same duties as servants were bound to do, but after the same manner, in obedience to God's command, with the same singleness of heart, and with the same heartiness and good will. They were to give their servants what "was just and equal." They were to treat them with justice and equity, with a full recognition of their rights. 'fhe apostle, however, demands something more than just treatment; masters are to forbear the threatening which was a too familiar feature of slavery. They are not to rule them with rigour or harshness, or even with displays of temper, but with genlle- ness, moderation, and kindne.ss. n. THE ARGUMENT TO ENFORCE THE DUTIES OF MASTERS. "Your Master also is in heaven; neither is there respect of persons with him." He is the J udgo of master anu. servant alike, and will not respect either of them on account of their station in life, but will reward them justly according to their works. Both masters and servants, therefore, ought to have an eye to the presence of their great Master in heaven, ought to seek his glory, and pray for his assistance and acceptance.-T. C. Ver. 10.-The secret of spiritual strength. This strength is needeu. under all the burdens, in all the conflicts and temptations of life, beneath its sorrows and its cares- strength of heart, strength of purpose, strength of will. I. " IlE STROXG." This is a strange command, just as strange as it woulu. be for a physician to say to a weak man, "Ile strong." It is like the command, "Hejoico in the Lord;" but it seems more difficult by any volition of our own to au.d to our strength than to add to our joy. Yet, as we can do much to regulate our emotions by determining what set of thoughts shall engage us, we can equally provide for an increase in our strength by a direct recourse to the secret and source of it. Our obedience to this command stands on the same footing as our obedience to God's other commandments; and if we continue to be weak, it is more than our misfortune, it is our fault. Ilut there is nothing strange when we consider the s~cret of the origin of this strength. We are conscious of a sense of feebleness, of heartlessness, of hopeless- ness, which of itself goes far to disqualify us for duty, and gives us up an easy prey to the adversary of souls. It is to meet this want that God reveals himself to us as the great Giver of strength. II. "BE STRONG IN THE LORD, AND IN THE POWER OF ms MIOilT.n The strength poured into us is strength in Christ, springing out of a realizing apprehension or the continued presence, love, and help of the Redeemer. "My strength shall be made per- fect in weakness." A fly is able to walk upon the ceiling of a room. The cause is to be found in the vacuum in its webbed foot caused by its very weight, and it is thus enabled to hold on by the smooth surface of the ceiling. So our safety lies likewise in our emptiness. 'l'he soldier fights with greater confidence when he is led by a genernl who has been always successful. Wellington calculated the presence of Bonaparte at the head of nn army as equal to a hundred thousand additional bayonets. 'l'hus wo understand the invineibility of the French army under his leadership. Thus the Christian fights with greater resolution because Christ is the Captain of his snlvation. Ill. 'l'HE OOMMAND DIPLIEB A CONTINUOUS DEPENDENCE UPON THE Louo. Tho  268 THE EPISTLE 'tO THE EPHESIANS. [ott, VI. 1-24.