The Pulpit Commentary — 1 Thessalonians — Section 53

tinnity is no religion for cowards. It is a gross error to suppose that it unmans it~ foll,"' ers. The greatest heroes of the first century were the Christians. A manly courage is muc.'i needed in the present cla._v. The gospel should always be declared clearly, positively, and confidently by those who have a. sure faith in it th<'mselves. It is a great mistake to think that a timid, ap"logetic tone will be more conciliatory. We have no need to be thus timidly apologetic for the gospel, if it is true; but if it is not true, we have no right to defend it at all. In either case a weak, half-hearted advocacy ie culpable. Enmity is best overcome and ridicule sbamc·d by courage. It is most foolish for the Christian advocate to be afraid of boldl_v stating his beliefs before his sceptical opponent. Let us, however, distinguish true boldness from heedless provocativeneBB on the one hand, and from mere insolence on the other. Christians are to be wise as serpents, to be courteous, and as far as in them lies to live peaceably with all men. l V. THE SOURCE OF CHRISTIAN BOLDNESS Is IN Goo. This boldness is a very different thing from mere brute daring. It is spiritual, sober, thouglitful. It has to face spiritual as well as carnal foes. It comes, like other Christian graces, as an inspiration from the Spirit of God. They who are most deeply in communion with God when by tlie111sel ves will be most thoroughly brave when in the world. Thus Joshua was made courageous by his vision of the "captain of the h011t of the Lord" (Josh. v. 14). -W. F. A. Ver. 4.-.Entrwted with the gospel. I. THE GOSPEL Is A TRUST. 1. The gospel ill o/ great value. If property is put in trust it is presnmably valuable. We carefully guard what we prize highly. God's message of reconciliation is a charter of liberty, a covenant of grace, a promissory note of future blessings. 2. The gospel needs to be guarded and administered. It is in danger of being lost, forgotten, perverted, and corrupted. Trustees are required in order to preserve it in its integrity and to give it forth to those who need it. 3. The gospel is entrusted 1,o men. There are th011e who are put in trust with the gospel. Men are to trust God; God also trusts men. He confides in the honour and devotion of his people. As the steward is entrusted with his master's estate, the servant of God receives a trust of the rich treasures of the gospel. The treasure is committed to earthen vessels. Thus does God honour his children and use them for his good purposes. 11. THE TRUB'l'EES OF THE GOSPEL ARE CHOSEN AND APPROVED OF GoD. God called the prophets, and Christ called the apostles. Every true Christian minister is called of God. The Church is God's chosen company of trustees of the goapel Christian nations are providentially appoiut~d for its custodianship. Certain qualifications are required in the trnstees, in order that they may be approved of God. 1. They must hold the truth themselves. "Npt of error" (ver. 3). The first requisites are an under- standing of and a belief in the g<>spel. 2. They must live in accordance 111tth the truth. "Nor of uncleanness." The trustee of the holy gospel must be a. regenerate man. Otherwise his conduct will damage the gospel which he holds. 3. They must be honest in the discharge of the trust. "Nor in guile." No self-seeking, doubli-- dealin11:, or men-pleasing can be permitted in the trustees of the gospel. They must be sincerely devoted to the truth that is entrusted to them. Ill. THE TRUSTEESHIP OF THE GOSPEL Il1POSES IMPORTANT DUTIES. L Th• gosl'el must be preser'lled in its integrity. The trustees are not perwit1ed to tamper with tb~ trust. \Ve have no right to add to or to detract from the gospel as it is given to us in the Sew Testament. lt is a matter of honour that one who holds office in a Christian Church should not avail himself of the advantages of his position to advance private views which in any way militate against what is contained in the gospel charter on which the Church is founded. The New Testament is e. trust-deed, and its provisions must be studiously observed, or the trusteeship implied by any active work in the Cilurch must be resigned. Any other course is dishonest. 2. The trust of the g011pel must be discharged for th~ benefit of those fur whom it is designed. The trustees must study the interests of the beneficiaries. Trustees of the gospel are teachen of th.- gospel. 'l'his truth of. God is not to be wrapped _up in a napkin, but made ~ of for the good of mankind. The Jews were entrusted with the oracles of God that ultimate]}" Lhe Gentiles might receive those oracles from their hanu.s. The Church is intrust_et.l with the gospel that she may convey it to the world. The t.rlllli of the g011pel Clmell L TIIEBBALUNlANB. II:  50 1'HE PlRS'l' EPISTLE TO 'l'HE THESSALONU.NS. [oa. n. 1-li!0,