Observe too the emphatic repetition of "every man" both in these two
clauses and in the following. It is Paul's protest against the
exclusiveness of the heretics, who shut out the mob from their
mysteries. An intellectual aristocracy is the proudest and most
exclusive of all. A Church built upon intellectual qualifications would
be as hard and cruel a _coterie_ as could be imagined. So there is
almost vehemence and scorn in the persistent repetition in each clause
of the obnoxious word, as if he would thrust down his antagonists'
throats the truth that his gospel has nothing to do with cliques and
sections, but belongs to the world. To it philosopher and fool are
equally welcome. Its message is to all. Brushing aside surface
diversities, it goes straight to deep-lying wants, which are the same in
all men. Below king's robe and professor's gown, and workman's jacket
and prodigal's rags, beats the same heart with the same wants, wild
longings, and weariness. Christianity knows no hopeless classes. But its
highest wisdom can be spoken to the little child and the barbarian, and
it is ready to deal with the most forlorn and foolish, knowing its own
power to "warn every man and to teach every man in all wisdom."
III. We have here the ultimate aim of these diverse methods. "That we
may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus."
We found this same word "present" in verse 22. The remarks made there
will apply here. There the Divine purpose of Christ's great work, and
here Paul's purpose in his, are expressed alike. God's aim is Paul's aim
too. The Apostle's thoughts travel on to the great coming day, when we
shall all be manifested at the judgment seat of Christ, and preacher and
hearer, Apostle and convert, shall be gathered there. That solemn period
will test the teacher's work, and should ever be in his view as he
works. There is a real and indissoluble connection between the teacher
and his hearers, so that in some sense he is to blame if they do not
stand perfect then, and he in some sense has to present them as in his
work--the gold, silver, and precious stones which he has built on the
foundation. So each preacher should work with that end clear in view, as
Paul did. He is always toiling in the light of that great vision. One
sees him, in all his letters, looking away yonder to the horizon, where
he expects the breaking of its morning low down in the eastern sky. Ah!
how many formal pulpit and how many a languid pew would be galvanised
into intense action if only their occupants once saw burning in on them,
in their decorous deadness, the light of that great white throne! How
differently we should preach if we always felt "the terror of the Lord,"
and under its solemn influence sought to "persuade men!" How differently
we should hear if we felt we must appear before the Judge, and give
account to Him of our profitings by His word!
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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