The Pulpit Commentary — Philippians — Section 62

of a more m:i~nific~nt_ breadth of charity, a m?re heroic self-abnegation, or a 1.noro ~rdent dcro_tion to vh~1.st tl~an St. Paul_ ~ere ma~1fests, His preaching at Rome appoo.rs to haw_ excited opP?s1bon m the Judamn11: sect.i?n of the Church there. In jealousy of the mfiuence gamed by the great apostle, this party was roused to more earnest missionary enterprise on their own account. Their motive was miserably narrow and ung-enerouA. But t~cy little understood the spirit of the man whom they thought to annoy. The last thmg that mean and selfis~ men can comprehend is the larger heart of a better nature. St. Paul completely triumphed over this miserable attempt at raising up afflictions for him in his bonds. Instead of being irritated at the injury done t-0 himself, he utterly forgot that injury in his joy that a fresh impetus was given to the preaching of Christ. What a noble example for all Christians l I. THE PREACHING OF CHRIST IS THE MOST IMPORTANT WORK OF THE CHUROH. There were truths dear to the heart of St. Paul which the J udaizing party denied, and it was part of the life-work of the apostle to vindicate these truths. J3ut he clearly saw that they were subsidiary to the great, common Christian gospel Therefore he would rather see the gospel preached by men who were at the same time resisting those truths, than that the secondary truths should triumph but missionary work be less zealously promoted. We are all in danger of losing theological perspective. We are inclined to magnify our own special views to the neglect of the truth that is common to all Christ.endom. To make Christ known-not to preach this or that doctrine about Christ, but to reveal Christ himself in his beautiful life, death, and resurrection-this is to preach the gospel, and all else is of minor importance. Il. CHRIST MAY BE PREACHED IN A GREAT V.AR.IETY OF WAYS. The more illiberal Christians set forth the gospel in a very difi'erent way from St. Paul's method. Yet he bad insight to see that the essential truth was proclaimed by them. 1. Because men do not pronounce our "shibboleth," let us not refuse to recognize that they preach our Christ, the one Christ. 2. Moreover, note that, as a rule, the grounds on which Christians agree are far more important than those on which they differ. 3. Observe also that, though the spirit and motive of the preacher are important, the truth of the gospel is of more importance; so that, though this be proclaimed with an unworthy motive (as here in very spite to St. Paul), yet, being proclaimed, it may reach the hearts of men a11d do its own work. III. DIV16IONS AII0NG CHBIBTIANS MAY LEAD TO THE IIOBE ZEALOUS PREACHING OF CHRIST. We naturally deplore these divisions. They are very injurious to Christian charity. They generate sectarian bitterness of spirit and narrowness of thought. They lead to much waste of effort in controversy and to a scandal in the eyes of the world. On the other band, they undoubtedly excite greater zeal in propagating the gospel The sects provoke one another to good works. The motive may not be the bighest; still, the result is that the gospel is preached more energetically and with more variety, so as to reach difi'erent classes of mind. And often the emula- tion is not uuworthy. Each party is honestly desirous not to be found wanting, and is stimulated by the example of the rest. Competition, which greatly encourages efficiency in study and in business, is not without its influence in religion. Competi- tive Christianity may be, indeed, a low form of religion, but it is much better than lifeless Chri~tianity. I\'. THE TRUE SERVANT OF CHRIST WILL VALUE THE PREACHING OF CHRIST MORE THAN THE EXTENSION OF HIS OWN vmws .AND INFLUENCE. It is exceedingly difficult rnally to rejoice at efforts which weaken our own particuiar cause while they promote tl,e great cause of Christ. But this is because we think more of ourselves than of Cbrist. Greater devotion to Christ will issue in larger charity to rivals and enemies. '\Vl,eu we can say, " To me to live is Christ," we shall be able to experience the grand feeliug of St. Paul in rising above the provocation of jealous opposition to himself with tLe juy of witnessing a more earnest preaching of Ohrist.-W. I<'. .A. • Ver. 21.-" To 'Tf..e to live i, Christ." Here is the secret of the wonderful life of St. I,aul a1,d the j,]{:8.1 of the true Christian life everywhere. In so far as we approach .tr,·" icieal wt a1t Chri,;tian. The whole scope and aim and energy of Christianity are :il.Jc,uc.tod ii: tht cor.ceptic,n of" living Christ." L Gliiil.l!T GIVES THE PATTERN FOB THE CBBll:ITUB LIFE. Christianity us Christ,- Ott, I. 1-30.] 'l'HE EPISTLE ·ro THE PIIJLIPPIJ\NS. 57