An Essay on the Character of the Apostle Paul, Considered as an Example and Pattern of a Minister of Christ # 6

An Essay on the Character of the Apostle Paul Considered as an Example and Pattern of a Minister of Christ # 6

True Christian zeal is often grieved - but cannot be provoked. The zealous Christian is strictly observant of his own failings, candid and tender to the faults of others; he knows what allowances are due to the frailty of human nature, and the temptations of the present state, and willingly makes all the allowances possible. And though he dares not call evil good, cannot but judge according to the rule of Scripture - yet he will conceal the infirmities of men as much as he can. He will not speak of them without just cause, much less  will he aggravate their case; or boast himself over them!

Such was the zeal of our apostle: bold and intrepid in the cause of God and truth, unwearied in service, inflexible in danger. When duty called, he was not to be restrained either by the threats of enemies, the solicitations of friends, or the prospect of any hardships to which he might be exposed. He cheerfully endured hunger and thirst, watching and weariness, poverty and contempt, and counted not his life dear - so that he might fulfill the great purposes of the ministry which he had received of the Lord.

But at the same time, in all his interaction with men - he was gentle, mild, and compassionate. He pursued the peace, and accommodated himself to the weakness, of all about him. When he might command - he used entreaties. When he met with harsh and injurious treatment - he bore it patiently, and, if opportunity offered, requited it with kindness. Thus as he had drunk of the spirit of Jesus - so he walked in the steps of his Lord and Master.

All who bear the name of ministers of Christ, would do well to examine how far their tempers and conduct are conformable to Paul's. Are there not too many who widely differ from him? Where he was immovable as an iron pillar - they are flexible and yielding as a reed waving in the wind, suiting their doctrines and practice to the depraved taste of the world, and prostituting their talents and calling to the unworthy pursuit of selfish ambition and applause!

On the other hand, in things less essential, or not commanded, they invade the rights of the private judgment of others, and attempt to bind heavy yokes and impositions upon those whom Christ has made free. And while they readily tolerate false doctrine and immorality - they exert all their strength and subtlety to disquiet or suppress those who differ from them in the slightest issue, if they profess to differ for conscience' sake. But Jesus has no such 'ministers'! their claim is utterly vain! None but those who are ignorant of the plainest truths can allow them this character; their tempers, their behavior, the tenor of their professed instructions, and the total lack of efficacy and influence in their ministrations, plainly demonstrate that Christ neither sent them nor owns them!

7. Having considered the subject matter and the leading views of the apostle's ministry - it may be proper to take some notice of his manner as a preacher. This he reminds the Corinthians of. They were reputed as an educated an clever people. Paul was aware of their character, and expresses himself as if he had been deliberating before he saw them, in what way he would address them with the fairest probability of success. He tells them, that he determined to know nothing among them but Jesus Christ, and Him crucified; including, in this one comprehensive expression, the whole scheme of Gospel doctrine.

And as to the manner in which he delivered this doctrine, he says, "My speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom - but in demonstration of the Spirit and with power." We are sure that he did not renounce justness of reasoning, or propriety of expression. In these respects he exceeded their most admired orators, as may appear to any who have skill to compare his epistles and discourses with the performances of the Greek writers. But he renounced "the enticing," or plausible, "words of man's wisdom." In the term "man's wisdom," may be included - whatever the natural faculties of man are capable of discovering or receiving, independent of the peculiar teaching of the Spirit of God. "Enticing words of man's wisdom" may include all those ways and arts which the wise men of the world have used, or approved, as most effectual to express, adorn, or defend their own wise sentiments and discoveries. These, and the methods of setting them off to advantage, have been divided into many branches, and dignified with high sounding names.

But all the efforts of man's wisdom, considered as engaged in the subjects of religion, may be summed up in three particulars:

A. A vain inquiry into things which lie wholly beyond the capacity of man in his present state, and which can only be discovered by supernatural revelation.

B.  A vain attempt to account for everything according to the light and principles of depraved reason.

C. A studious exactness in language, either an easy flow of words to please and amuse the ear, or a torrent of strong and figurative expressions  to engage the passions, according as a different taste or fashion happens to prevail.

It would be too dry a task to illustrate these points, by adducing specimens of each from the works of the ancient and modern philosophers; but if we had no other employment in hand, it would be easy to show that man's wisdom, in the first sense, is Uncertainty; in the second, Prejudice; in the third, Imposition and artifice. It is sufficient for my present purpose, that the apostle renounced them all.

~John Newton~

(continued with # 7)