The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1897-03-17

International Lesson for March FL. 1901
Christian Self Restraint - Corinthians
0:10-27.


eth for the mastery is temperate In all
things-I. Cor. 9:25.
PLACE.-The epistle was written from
Ephesus q Cor. 16:0
TIME.-Early in a. ID. 81. Toward the
close of Pauls three years stay in Ephesus.
Paul intended to leave Ephesus about
Pentacost that year May % q. Cor. 1873.
so that the epistle was written earlier than
that date. Levin thinks from the allusion
in J. Corinthians 81. that il was writ
ten at the time OF the Passover, which that
year occurred April T.
EXPLANATORY.
The Prize and the Crown.-Vs. "a, rs.
The prize was the reward offered TO the
winners in the athletic contests in the
Grecian games. The crown was the
outward symbol and recognition of the
merit and superiority by which the
prize was won. The crowns of the
Grecian games were Of olive or pine
leaves, but even the gold and jeweled
crowns of kings and queens are chiefly
symbols of the kingdom, and of fitness
10 reign over it.
The prize and crown are TO be gained:
i. By sympathy and Service for All
Men.-Vs. 1898. 10. Yet have / made
myself servant unto ALL" Undergoing
all manner oftoils and privation for their
sake. Though he might have been free
from these burdens, and have lived in
ease and wealth, yet he underwent great
sufferings that | might gain the more
souls for the kingdom of Christ. See
the list in 2 Corinthians 1927.
20. Unto the Jews | became as
jew" Submitting to the restrictions
of their ceremonial law. and to their
customs so far as not wrong, not be-
cause he liked them, or believed them
necessary, but in order to gain the
jews" See examples in Acts 1853;
16:1S; 21:23. Under the law:" All
those who laid great stress on the cere-
monial law and the formal keeping
of commandments.
%. ITO the weak" Saints who had
not understood their freedom, nor real
lied their privileges, who were mar
| row in mind, and imperfect in con-
| science. Became l as weak" / gave
up my rights and privileges, so as not
to be an offense to them, and hinder my
| influence. "All things to all men,"
This is limited by the word save"
To do anything wrong does not save
men from sin, it leads them into sin.
IL. By Intense Earnestness.-Vs. 81,
26. Paul now illustrates his words by
means of the great Grecian games.
"a. run all, but one receiveth the
| prize" In these games. But in the
| Christian race and contest all may win,
but only on the same conditions that
| gave the prize to the one winner in these
athletic contests.
&c. Il therefore so run (the Christian
race) not as uncertainty" Not with
out seeing the goal, and, consequently,
the course to be run, not lin the dark"
"deviating to the right or left" as il
uncertain where l am going, or what
| for.
Ill. BY Self-Control.-Vs. 2j, 81 25.
"Every man that striveth for the mas
terry is temperate in all things:" Tenn
perate, self-controlled. This refers not
to the actual race, but to the ten
months preparation. Indeed this prep
aration was in some sense a part of the
| contest: for upon it very much de-
pended success or failure. During these
! ten months, the athlete not only SUD-
| mitted to the prescribed limitations OF
| food, drink, and the entire mode of life,
but, without asking whether it was
specially enjoined, did whatever would
strengthen him for the decisive day and
thus increase his chance of victory, and
avoided whatever would weaken him.
"They do it to obtain a corruptible:"
| A crown of olive or pine leaves, or rather
for the glory and honor which they
sisnifled, and the development of the
body, which among the Greeks thus be-
came the perfection OF strength and
beauty. Yet all this persisted with the
body, and great as the prize was, it was
nothing to the incorruptible and eter-
nal rewards of the spiritual victories
of character, usefulness, Heaven and
God. If they can do so much for their
prize, how much more we for ours.
q. II keep under my body" The
word means to strike under the eyes.
Whenever the body rose up in rebellion
against his spiritual interests, his Cos
| pei work, and thus was his enemy in
stead of servant, he put it down with
the most damaging blow boxer could
give his antagonist. And bring it into
|
as n captive taken in war. He never
rested from the warfare till the body,
with all its lusts, and desires, and APP
pctites, and longings, became his sub
missive servant. Then every power and
appetite became blessing.
TEMPERANCE APPLICATIONS.
To be truly temperate and self-con-
| trolled is both very noble and very
| difficult thing. 'Ile that ruleth his
spirit is greater than he that taketh u
city"
One reason why this is so is that il,
makes every mans body, and natural
| powers, and impulses, training school
for his soul. 1t gives him field of bat
tie which is n training field for heroism,
for moral culture, for skill, and will, and
every nobler faculty of the soul.
Strong drink, even in moderate guam
titles, Injuries the will power of self
control. 1t tends TO make the body the
ruler over the soul. 1t brings mob rule
into the human organism. Says George
Adam Smith, Nothing kills the con-
science like steady drinking to a little
| excess"
Il