LESSON XXXVI.

Sad Tidings from Corinth.

Read 1 Cor. iv. 9-13; 2 Cor. xi. 23-33; Acts xx. 1; 1 Cor. xvi. Learn Gal. vi. 1, 2; 1 Cor. vi. 19, 20.

1. The Care of all the Churches (1 Cor. iv. 9-13; 2 Cor. xi. 22-33).

What a contrast there is between the record of the success granted to S. Paul's labours given us in the Acts, and the description he himself gives of the trials, sufferings, and anxieties, by means of which these glorious results were obtained!

At the very time when his influence was so widely felt, that Demetrius the silversmith declared that, not alone at Ephesus, but almost throughout the whole province of Asia Minor, he had persuaded many people of the folly of idolatry -when his power of working miracles was so great that his very clothes possessed a healing power, he yet speaks of himself and of the other Apostles as of those who were made a 'spectacle unto the world, and to angels, and to men'—like their Master, suffering hunger and thirst—with no certain dwelling-place-reviled-persecuted-the off-scouring of all things (1 Cor. iv. 9-13). Yet, though troubled on every side, they were not distressed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyedalways bearing about in the body the dying of the LORD JESUS, that the life also of JESUS might be made manifest in them (2 Cor. iv. 7-11); giving no offence in any thing,

but in all things approving themselves as the ministers of GOD; in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses, in stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labours, in watchings, in fastings-as dying and yet living, as chastened and not killed; as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things (2 Cor. vi. 3-10). In addition to these trials, what a record of outward perils and sufferings S. Paul enumerates (2 Cor. xi. 23-33).

'Visions and revelations of the LORD' (2 Cor. xii. 1) we may be sure were granted abundantly to these great Founders of CHRIST'S Church, to enable them to realise that the sufferings of this present time were not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be hereafter, and that their light affliction, which was but for a moment, was working out for them a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory (Rom. viii. 18; 2 Cor. iv. 17).

As it was with Elijah of old, who could at one moment fearlessly confront the impious king Ahab and his four hundred false prophets, call down fire from heaven, and by the power of his prayer deliver the land from drought (1 Kings xviii.; S. James v. 17, 18); while immediately afterwards we see him lying under the juniper-tree, faint, and almost despairing of life (1 Kings xix. 4), so it is ever with the saints of GOD. Success must always be accompanied by some 'thorn in the flesh,' some 'messenger of Satan' permitted by GOD, lest they should be 'exalted above measure,' and forget that the power is of GOD, and that they are but earthen vessels to whom the treasure of God's grace is entrusted.

Perhaps the anxiety which weighed most upon the mind of the great Apostle was 'the care of all the Churches' (2 Cor. xi. 28). Those seven Churches of Asia which afterwards became so famous, and which were planted by him, probably during his three years' residence in Ephesus; and also those fickle Galatians who were so ready to accept another gospel' (Gal. i. 6), as well as those European Churches near the centre of the great Roman Empire, needing such help and guid

ance, because exposed to so great temptations-oh, how their needs, their difficulties, their sins, were remembered by him before the Throne of Grace !

2. Messengers from Corinth (1 Cor. xvi. 17).

Picture S. Paul in the workshop at Ephesus, with Aquila and Priscilla, weaving the coarse goats' hair used for tentmaking, when three visitors are announced from Corinth.

How gladly they are welcomed! How the Apostle rejoices over this opportunity of receiving tidings of his converts, and learning the state of the Church in that corrupt city. Fortunatus, Stephanas, and Achaicus (1 Cor. xvi. 17) are the bearers of a letter from the Church at Corinth, laying before S. Paul many difficulties which had arisen during his absence, and asking for his decision as to certain questions relating chiefly to the order to be observed in public worship, and the difficulties which beset the Christians in their social intercourse with the heathen around. When the Apostle had read the letter, he began to question the Corinthian delegates as to the condition of the Church at Corinth, and what he gathered in answer to his inquiries must indeed have filled him with deepest sorrow and anguish of soul.

From these converts, and from others of the household of Chloe (1 Cor. i. 11), S. Paul learned that the Church at Corinth was torn by violent disputes, and was split up into parties which had rent asunder its unity (1 Cor. i. 11, 12; iii. 3, 4; xi. 18). He heard sad rumours of 'envyings, strifes, backbitings, whisperings, swellings, tumults' (2 Cor. xii. 20). Even the assemblies of the Church had degenerated into wild and disorderly scenes, two or three preachers interrupting each other to gain the ear of the congregation (1 Cor. xiv. 26-30). There had also been grievous profanation and irreverence in connection with the celebration of the Holy Eucharist (1 Cor. xi. 17-22; 29-34). Some there were also who denied the doctrine of the Resurrection (1 Cor. xv. 12); others were lifted up with spiritual pride on account of the gifts which had been so abundantly bestowed on them

(1 Cor. iv. 7), and there were also those who despised S. Paul himself, spoke contemptuously of him, and disparaged his authority (1 Cor. iv. 3; ix. 2, 3; 2 Cor. iii. 1; x. 10). Many, growing weary of a life of self-denial and self-restraint, had taken part in heathen festivities, and eaten food which had been offered in sacrifice to idols (1 Cor. viii.); one prominent member of the Church had been guilty of grievous sin from which the very heathen were free-and yet this sin had gone unpunished, and he had been allowed to remain in the Christian community (1 Cor. v.).

Not a word about these grievous disorders was there in the letter from Corinth; the Corinthian Christians were so lifted up with spiritual pride on account of the wonderful gifts which had been poured out so abundantly upon them, that they appear to have been quite blind to the terrible sins into which they had fallen.

As he listened to this dark catalogue of offences, the heart of S. Paul must have been filled with bitter shame and grief. We can see him laying his sore trouble before God, and pouring out his whole soul in earnest intercession on behalf of those sinful disciples; and we can see him too, sitting down to dictate his first Epistle to the Corinthians, so different to what any human composition would have been under similar circumstances; so loving, so wise, so faithful, every word inspired by the Holy Ghost.

3. Letter to Corinth.

After thanking God for the grace given them in CHRIST JESUS, he reproves the Corinthian Church for their religious dissensions and divisions, and impresses upon them the folly of all human wisdom as compared with the wisdom of the Cross of CHRIST (1 Cor. i. 23; ii. 1–9).

He reminds them of their obligation to holiness of life on account of their incorporation by baptism into the mystical Body of CHRIST (1 Cor. vi. 15), and the consecration of their bodies as temples of the Holy Ghost (1 Cor. iii. 16; vi. 19).

He tells them that, redeemed by CHRIST, they are not their own, but His, and are therefore bound to glorify Him in their bodies (1 Cor. vi. 20; vii. 23), those bodies which are designed for a glorious immortality (1 Cor. xv. 42–54).

He warns them that, in the use of things indifferent, they are to consider the spiritual good of others, and do nothing to offend a weak brother (1 Cor. viii. 11-13; x. 23-32). He urges the sacred duty of providing for the Pastors of the Church (1 Cor. ix. 7-15), and corrects the abuses which had crept in, in the administration of Holy Communion (1 Cor. xi. 17-33). He explains to them the true use of extraordinary gifts, such as speaking with tongues, and warns them that no gifts or graces are of any avail to those who possess them, unless they use them in a spirit of charity—love to GOD, and love to man (1 Cor. xiii. xiv.) He also utters the terrible sentence of excommunication against that offender whose sin had been so lightly passed over (1 Cor. v. 3-5), delivering him over to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the LORD JESUS.'

4. Anxiety and Suspense (2 Cor. ii. 1-5).

The messengers have returned to Corinth, and the great Apostle is full of anxiety to know how his letter will be received. There has been so much to reprove, so many severe things to write, he fears lest that letter should alienate still further those whom he loves so deeply (2 Cor. vii. 8).

To relieve his anxiety he sends Titus to Corinth (2 Cor. xii. 18); and shortly after leaves Ephesus for Troas, hoping to meet Titus on his return from Corinth, that he may receive tidings of his beloved converts in that city. Disappointed and perplexed as to the cause of his delay, and finding no rest in his spirit, the Apostle sets sail from Troas, and crosses over to Macedonia, there to await, probably among his friends at Philippi, the return of Titus (2 Cor. ii. 12, 13).

Lessons to be drawn from the Narrative :

1. There is nothing so blinding as pride; and spiritual pride is the most dangerous and subtle form of this hateful

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