The Pulpit Commentary — Hebrews — Section 177

Saints mny be in_ secular voyerty. Lazarus the 1aint wn11 ~n affiicted beirgar; the man l'rho was not a s:imt was ' rich, clothed in purple and fine !men, and fared sumptuously every dRy ." "Did not God choose them that are poor as to the world to be rich in faith?" etc. (Ja!I. ii. 5). 'l'he pereons addressed in our Epistle probably sent contributions of money to certain of their fellow-Christians who were in poverty (see Acts xi. 29, 30; Horn. xv. 25, 26 ; 1 Cor. xvi. 1; 2 Cor. viii., ix.). (2) Sympathy with the afflicted and persecuted. "Becoming partakers with them that were so used" (i.e. reproached and persecuted). "For ye both liad compassion on them that were in bonds," etc. (eh, x. 32-34). A worthy tribute tliis to most noble and beautiful conduct. Such minister• ing tc the saints was especially becoming in the disciples of him who "bore our griefs and carried our sorrows," and who "came not to be ministered unto, but to minister," etc. 2. The continuousness of this ministry. "And still do minister." Their kind feeling did not expend itself in one effort or in one contribution. '!'heir conduct in this respect is exemplary. We shall do well if we imitate them (cf. Ilom. xii. 13; Gal. vi. 10; eh. xiii. 16; 1 John iii. 17). Il. IN ITS EXALTED MOTIVE. "The love which ye showed towards his Name." They ministered to the saints because they loved God. This is the noblest of motives. Let us consider it. It involves: 1. Gratitude to God. They ministered to those who were his, because be had done so much for them. Gratitude eagerly inquires, "What shall l render unto the Lord for all bis benefits toward me 't" We ■erve him by serving his saints. 2. Devotion to God. 'l'his ministry was expressive of more than gratitude to God. The Christian's love to God is more than gratitude to him. It includes reverent admiration of him, and willing consecration to him of the heart's holiest feeling and the life's beat service. And ministry to his saints for the love which we have for him be accepts as ministry to himself. "Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done 1t," etc. (Matt. x.xv. 40, 45). 3. Recognition of the common relationship to Go,J, of both the givers and the receivers ef this help. They showed their love toward his Name by this ministry, because they felt that they and those to whom they ministered were alike his children. They realized their common brotherhood, hence they volun- tarily shared their afflictions. This is the most exalted motive for Christian service- love to God. It is most disinterested, most inspiring, most sustaining, III. IN ITS CERTAIN BEW ARD, "God is not unrighteous to forget your work," etc. But did this ministry to the saints give the ministers a claim upon God for reward? Would he have been unjust if be bad not remembered and rewarded their works? 'l'wo facts compel us to answer, "No;" viz. (1) that all the good works of Christiane are imperfect; (2) that the inspiration for every good work proceeds from him. "The rigb teousness ot God spoken of in our passage," says Ebrard, "is that which leads, guides, and governs every man according to the particular stage of development which lie occupies. It is here affirmed of God that be does not give up to perdition a man wl,o can still in any way be saved, in whom the new life is not yet entirely extinct, and who bas not yet entirely fallen away; but that he seeks to draw every one as long ae they will allow themselves to be drawn." It would not be just in God to withdraw his gracioUB assistance from one who waa producing the fruits of Christian faith; for he bas pledged bis word that he will save such persons. He will not forget their work and Jabour of love. "God will not forget you, for that would be ceasing to be God. If God were to forget for one moment, the universe would grow black-vanish-rush out again from the realm of law and order into chaos and night," Most encouraging are the declarations of this truth in the Bible (see Deut. iv. 31; Isa. xlix. 14-16 ; eh. xiii. 5). This not forgetting their work and the love which they showed toward bis Name implies: 1. Preservation from aposta.sy. This is the point of connection with the main argument. Their production of the fruits of Christian faith was an evidence that they were not falling away from Christ. And God would keep those who out of love to him ministered to bis saints. 2. Generous recognition of tlieir services. Nothing is overlooked, nothing of Christian work is unrecognized or unaclrnowleJged by him, 3. Grcu;ious reward of their services. (See Matt. x. 42; Mark ix. 41.) Co!-CLUBTON. 1. .An example of Ohristian ministry. Imitate it. 2. .Lin example of a sure method of guarding against apostasy. Do not think of apostasy, but of continuous progress. Produce the fruits of good works out of love to ,God, and you most effectively preclude spiritual defection or decline,-W. J, (II, VJ, 1-20.] THE EPISTLE TO THE HEBREWS. 171