The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1897-09-04

INTRODUCT1ON.-Pa second letter
to the Corinthians, from which we study
today, was written from Philippi, about
A. d. 81, shortly after the events at
Ephesus, which formed the lesson last
week. (Acts xix: 21-24) The principal
motive for writing was to defend his
apostolic office. Two factions, calling
themselves respectively the Cephas party
and the Christ party, Il Cor e. 12,) at
tackled him most violently, maligned his
character, and questioned his authority.
Wounded by these things in seeking to
regain his rightful place in their hearts,
he makes certain personal illusions, q
Cor. vi: 4-10,) but passes quickly over
into the broader themes of the Gospel
and its ministry. AS a corrective of all
strife and discord he offers, what has
always been the most effective, those
truths that pertain to Christian living and
to Christian fraternity. Under this head
the subject of liberality is introduced,
rendered more important by the fact that
the believers at Jerusalem were in need.
Observation-Disclosures a teacher pre-
sents matter to a class of persons 1t
is always best to begin with something
already admitted by them. From the
known to the unknown" is a generally
admitted educational maxim. A new
thought is seldom received unless at
tached to an old thought Hence, the
apostle opens the subject of giving by
this as duty. (Verses / and % That
came out of former act, CActs XII: 29)
which might be regarded as a precedent,
(Rom. XIV: 23) followed by other
churches, (Gal. ii: 10D and urged by the
apostles. Paul deemed 1t unnecessary to
write in this instance urging what had
already been done, what, in fact he had
commended as a virtue. He let's them
Lnow also that their zeal had provoked
the spirit of benevolence in other
churches, to whom he had reported their
generosity. This was a very happy in
PRODUCTION, well calculated to bring the
people into sympathy with him. After
learning that he had mentioned approv-
ingly their generous deeds they would
be the more ready for any new measure
which he might propose.
REMINDED.-why, then, did Paul
write at all on the subject? Did he mean
merely to gain favor by Offering praise /?
He was not the man to descend to any
such procedure. His intention was, rath-
er, to explain his course in sending a
commission to the church on the matter
Of charity. Verse 80 The brethren of
that commission are not certainly known
Probably Titus was one of them e Cor
viii: 81 and others less known, united
with him, gave sanction and strength to
the approach. These brethren, whoever
they were. came to Corinth from Paul
not because ne uOuDted put because n ,
| trusted the Corinthian liberalty las
mentioned in the last paragraph) ana
| because he desired through these COM
| missioners to remind the church of their
past action, of their honorable dstinc-
| tion among the churches, lest they might
| fall below what they would ordinarily do,
what he believed they desired to do e
Peter iii: 1) Could anything be more
! beautiful, more conciliatory and effective
! than this? A simple, gentle reminder is
! supposed to be all that is necessary to
! call out contributions from the church,
! Why not try that method now?
| PREPARED.-It appears oversees and
! Sd that the apostle was then in Mace