Does it not here seem, by St. Paul’s way of putting his questions, leaving them, as it were, to answer themselves in every Christian mind, that they could in his esteem admit of only one answer? That they must conduct people to the inevitable conclusion of the necessity of a LIVING MINISTRY? Modern Christianity would easily find _other_ replies; and does so practically. But is there no danger in such a course? No danger in thus _assuming_ the sufficiency of what may be termed literary methods of Christian instruction? nevertheless it is certain, that very often it _is_ assumed. “How shall they believe in HIM of whom they have not _heard_?” “By reading the Bible and judging for themselves,” would be the reply of modern Christianity. “How shall they hear without a preacher?” asks the Apostle. And modern believers might truly reply, “We do not see the difficulty—Have we not our Bibles in our hands?” “How shall they preach except they be SENT?” is the inquiry of St. Paul. And, “surely every man who understands his Bible may teach it to another,” might be the ready modern reply. To the Apostle’s mind, on the contrary, such questions seemed to carry with them their own unavoidable answers, establishing beyond controversy the necessity of an authoritative publishing of the truth by living teachers, and those duly sent (αποσταλωσι): nor does the SPIRIT of inspiration (to whom every future change was known) here give any hint of the future change of this system of teaching.