If what was said above about "the Lord" is correct, then here we have a doxology which manifestly is addressed to Christ. It is possible that in Rom. ix. 5 and xvi. 27 we have other examples, as also in Heb. xiii. 21; but in all these three cases the construction is open to question. Here, however, there can be no doubt that "the glory for ever and ever" is ascribed to the Lord Who stood by Paul at his trial and will deliver him from all evil works hereafter; and the Lord is Jesus Christ. As Chrysostom pointedly remarks without further comment: "Lo, here is a doxology to the Son." And it is word for word the same as that which in Gal. i. 5 is addressed to the Father. With these words of praise on his lips we take our leave of the Apostle. He is a wearied worker, a forlorn and all but deserted teacher, a despised and all but condemned prisoner; but he knows that he has made no mistake. The Master, Who seems to have requited His servant so ill, is a royal Master, Who has royal gifts in store. He has never failed His servant in this life, in which His presence, though but dimly reflected, has always brightened suffering; and He will not fail in His promises respecting the life which is to come. The Apostle has had to sustain him, not merely Divine truth wherewith to enlighten his soul, and Divine rules, wherewith to direct his conduct; he has had also a Divine Person, wherewith to share his life. He has kept the faith in the Divine truth; he has finished his course according to the Divine rules; yet these things he has done, not in his own strength, but in Christ Who lives in him. It is this gracious indwelling which made the victory that has been won possible; and it is this which gives it its value. The faith which has been kept is faith in Him Who is the Truth. The course which has been finished is according to Him Who is the Way. And the life which has been shared has been united with Him Who is the Life. That union will never end. It began here; and it will be continued throughout eternity in "the life which is life indeed." And therefore, with a heart full of thankfulness to the Master Who has shared his sufferings and will share his bliss, he leaves us as his last address to Christ, "To Him be the glory for ever and ever. Amen." FOOTNOTES: [99] 1 Cor. xiii. 5; 2 Cor. v. 19. INDEX. Abecedarians, 70. Acts of the Apostles not written by Titus, 207, nor by St. Paul, 360-362. Adornment, The nature of, 251, 252. Alexander, 75, 76, 373, 413. Ambrose, 230. Anacletus, 416. Ananias and Sapphira, 73, 75. Anarchy in the Church, 73, 271. Angels, 138. Antinomian doctrine, 44, 49, 298, 299. Apocalypse, 48, 68. Apollos, 203, 208, 414. Apostles, 69, 70. Apostolic Constitutions, 126, 156, 232. Appuleius, 379. Aquila, 413, 414. Aratus, 225. Aristotle, 240. Army, Roman, 345, 346. Artemis, Temple of, 84, 198. Article, The Greek, 89, 189, 392.