he true character of gospel ministers. (1-6) Cautions against
despising the apostle. (7-13) He claims their regard as their
spiritual father in Christ, and shows his concern for them.
(14-21)
Verses 1-6: Apostles were no more than servants of Christ, but they
were not to be undervalued. They had a great trust, and for that
reason, had an honourable office. Paul had a just concern for
his own reputation, but he knew that he who chiefly aimed to
please men, would not prove himself a faithful servant of
Christ. It is a comfort that men are not to be our final judges.
And it is not judging well of ourselves, or justifying
ourselves, that will prove us safe and happy. Our own judgment
is not to be depended upon as to our faithfulness, any more than
our own works for our justification. There is a day coming, that
will bring men's secret sins into open day, and discover the
secrets of their hearts. Then every slandered believer will be
justified, and every faithful servant approved and rewarded. The
word of God is the best rule by which to judge as to men. Pride
commonly is at the bottom of quarrels. Self-conceit contributes
to produce undue esteem of our teachers, as well as of
ourselves. We shall not be puffed up for one against another, if
we remember that all are instruments, employed by God, and
endowed by him with various talents.
Verses 7-13: We have no reason to be proud; all we have, or are, or do,
that is good, is owing to the free and rich grace of God. A
sinner snatched from destruction by sovereign grace alone, must
be very absurd and inconsistent, if proud of the free gifts of
God. St. Paul sets forth his own circumstances, ver. 9. Allusion
is made to the cruel spectacles in the Roman games; where men
were forced to cut one another to pieces, to divert the people;
and where the victor did not escape with his life, though he
should destroy his adversary, but was only kept for another
combat, and must be killed at last. The thought that many eyes
are upon believers, when struggling with difficulties or
temptations, should encourage constancy and patience. "We are
weak, but ye are strong." All Christians are not alike exposed.
Some suffer greater hardships than others. The apostle enters
into particulars of their sufferings. And how glorious the
charity and devotion that carried them through all these
hardships! They suffered in their persons and characters as the
worst and vilest of men; as the very dirt of the world, that was
to be swept away: nay, as the offscouring of all things, the
dross of all things. And every one who would be faithful in
Christ Jesus, must be prepared for poverty and contempt.
Whatever the disciples of Christ suffer from men, they must
follow the example, and fulfil the will and precepts of their
Lord. They must be content, with him and for him, to be despised
and abused. It is much better to be rejected, despised, and ill
used, as St. Paul was, than to have the good opinion and favour
of the world. Though cast off by the world as vile, yet we may
be precious to God, gathered up with his own hand, and placed
upon his throne.
Verses 14-21: In reproving for sin, we should distinguish between
sinners and their sins. Reproofs that kindly and affectionately
warn, are likely to reform. Though the apostle spoke with
authority as a parent, he would rather beseech them in love. And
as ministers are to set an example, others must follow them, as
far as they follow Christ in faith and practice. Christians may
mistake and differ in their views, but Christ and Christian
truth are the same yesterday, to-day, and for ever. Whenever the
gospel is effectual, it comes not in word only, but also in
power, by the Holy Spirit, quickening dead sinners, delivering
persons from the slavery of sin and Satan, renewing them both
inwardly and outwardly, and comforting, strengthening, and
establishing the saints, which cannot be done by the persuasive
language of men, but by the power of God. And it is a happy
temper, to have the spirit of love and meekness bear the rule,
yet to maintain just authority.
he true character of gospel ministers. (1-6) Cautions against
despising the apostle. (7-13) He claims their regard as their
spiritual father in Christ, and shows his concern for them.
(14-21)