+I. By men of reputation who confessed their inability to augment
its authority+ (ver. 6).
+II. Acknowledging that the commission was distinctly Divine+ (vers.
7, 8).
+III. Confirmed by cordially admitting the messenger into the
fellowship of highest service+ (ver. 9).
Vers. 8, 9. _Divine Blessing the Highest Sanction of Ministerial
Authority._--1. It is not the pains of ministers, or any virtue in
the Word preached, from whence success flows, but from the effectual
working of the Spirit. Paul ascribed the success both of his own and
Peter's ministry to this. 2. Whom God doth call to any employment,
and chiefly whom He calls to the ministry, He fitteth with gifts and
abilities suitable thereto. James, Cephas, and John did not
acknowledge Paul to be an apostle called by God, but on perceiving
that grace and gifts, ordinary and extraordinary, were bestowed upon
him. 3. We ought not to withhold our approbation, especially when it
is craved, from that which by evident signs and reasons we perceive
to be approved of God, though the giving of our approbation may
disoblige those who pretend much friendship towards us.--_Fergusson._
_The Efficacy of the Christian Ministry._
+I. That grace or power to regenerate is not included in the Word
preached,+ as virtue to heal in a medicine. To regenerate is
the proper work of God.
+II. That grace is not inseparably annexed and tied to the Word
preached,+ for to some it is the savour of death unto death.
+III. The preaching of the Word is an external instrument of faith+
and regeneration, and the proper effect of it is to declare or
signify.
IV. The apostles at Jerusalem +acknowledged Paul to be an apostle
because he had the gifts of an apostle,+ and because his
ministry was powerful among the Gentiles.
V. As all minsters in their places are pillars, they are hereby
admonished +to be constant in the truth against all enemies
whatsoever.+
VI. As ministers are pillars, we are taught +to cleave to them and
their ministry+ at all times--in life and death.--_Perkins._
_MAIN HOMILETICS OF THE PARAGRAPH.--Verse_ 10.
_Christianity and Poverty._
+I. Christianity has ever been the friend of the poor.+--1. _The poor
who are made so by accepting Christianity._ Accepting Christ often
means the loss of friends, of status, of fortune. The discovery of
this result among the first Christians might have much to do in the
formation of a common fund. There are many Jews and heathen to-day
who are convinced of the truth of Christianity but hesitate to make a
public avowal of their belief because of the apparent impossibility
of gaining a livelihood and the certainty of social ostracism.
Christian missionaries are not in a position to guarantee their
support, nor do they wish to encourage, a system that might easily
degenerate into wholesale bribery. There are converts who run all
risks and deliberately accept Christ and poverty. All such the
Christian Church, often at great sacrifice, does its best to befriend.
2. _The poor who are made so by unavoidable calamity._--Judea was
devastated by famine in the reign of Claudius Cæsar, and the apostles
promptly organised relief for the sufferers in the Jewish Churches
(Acts xi. 27-30). Christianity has ever been ready to help the
distressed and unfortunate. The hospitals, alms-houses, and other
benevolent institutions that abound are substantial monuments of the
practical benevolence of the Christian Church. Christianity is the
best friend of the people.
+II. Christianity inculcates a zealous and unselfish charity.+--"Only
they would that we should remember the poor; the same I also was
forward [zealous] to do." Paul had already rendered noble service in
this direction, and was prompted by the Spirit of the Gospel to
continue to do so. He was zealous in good works, though he stoutly
denied any merit in them to justify the sinner. His first concern was
to help the _Jewish_ poor, though many of them impugned his apostolic
authority and strove to ruin his influence. As champion of the
Gentiles he employed the wealth of his converts in supplying the
needs of his famishing Jewish brethren. Christian charity is superior
to the jealousies of sects and parties, and even to personal insult
and wrong. Behind the hand of the generous alms-giver is the heart of
love.
+III. Christianity elevates and enriches the poor.+--It enjoins
temperance, industry, honesty, and perseverance--the practice of
which has raised many from poverty to wealth. The man who has
prospered should never forget the claims of the poor. It is said that
a certain man dreamed that the Saviour appeared to him and upbraided
him with giving so little to His cause. The man replied, "I can't
afford it." "Very well," said the Saviour; "let it be so. But do you
remember, that when that business panic happened, how you prayed to
Me to keep you out of difficulties? and I heard your prayer and tided
you over the trouble. And do you remember also, when your little
child was sick, how you prayed that her life might be spared, and
again I heard your prayer and restored her? But now let it be an
understanding between us that henceforth when you are in trouble I do
nothing for you, seeing you can't afford to help Me." The man's
conscience was touched, and he exclaimed, "Lord, take what I have; it
is Thine."
+Lessons.+--1. _Christianity is the source of the highest
philanthropy._ 2. _Is the unfailing hope and comfort of the poor._
3. _Has achieved its greatest triumphs among the poor._
_GERM NOTES ON THE VERSES._