---

I. ITS SUBSTANCE. "Christ."

1. In the dignity of His person (verses 12-19.)

2. Therefore Christ only. Some preach themselves, morality, human systems, philosophy.

3. Christ always. If I come into the pulpit with another theme, concluding I shall have other opportunities, and so compel Him to give place, it may be the last time I shall preach. Christ in you, the hope of glory. This includes two things

(1)  Christ, in His intimate relation to the believer.

(2)  Christ, in all the animating hopes of futurity. "Christ in you, the hope of glory." This can counteract the darkness of the future.

II. ITS MANNER.

1. Warning.

(1) Fidelity demands this. The world must not only be instructed, but admonished. Let us take warning. A few blessings yet remain; but they will soon be gone; let us not trifle with them also.

(2) The voice of death urges this upon us. (Read Ezekiel 33:2-9.)

2. Teaching. Here two things are essential.

(1) Simplicity. No one can teach who does not make himself understood. There must be ability to communicate. Some lock up their ideas as the miser his wealth, and perishes with it.

(2) Diligence also is necessary. We must be "instant in season and out of season."(3) This must be done individually, "teaching every man." Here much care, prudence, and promptitude is required. Let men see how intent we are on their salvation.

(4) Wisely also — "In all wisdom," seeking out suitable season to speak to the heart. Various means must be employed, and we must accommodate ourselves to the capacities of those whom we address.

III. ITS END.

1. A final presentation. Christ is to present all to the Father, and the minister all to the Son.

2. A personal presentation, i.e., all must stand before Him.

3. A presentation of acceptance; therefore all will not be presented.

4. It is a perfect presentation — "That we may present every man perfect."(1) It is a perfection of knowledge — "What I do, thou knowest not now, but thou shalt know hereafter."(2) It is a perfection in righteousness.

(3) As to the perfection of glory, "Eye hath not seen," etc. "It doth not yet appear what we shall be."

5. It is a ministerial presentation. The minister must of necessity be a witness as to the reception or rejection of his ministry, and give an account.

(W. B. Collyer, D. D.)

I. THE GREAT SUBJECT of an evangelical ministry. We preach Christ.

1. In the dignity of His person.

2. His deep humiliation.

3. His infinite atonement.

4. His distinct offices as Prophet, Priest, and King.

5. The fulness and sufficiency of His grace for all the purposes of our present, complete, and everlasting salvation.

6. The purity of His character, "leaving us an example that we should follow His steps."

7. As our great Leader to a mighty and glorious victory.

8. As our judge.

II. THE MANNER IN WHICH THIS SUBJECT IS TO BE APPLIED TO THE UNDERSTANDING AND THE CONSCIENCE.

1. Warning every man of the danger of

(1)  Denying Christ.

(2)  Substituting anything in the room of Christ.

(3)  Slighting Christ or neglecting Him in any way.

(4)  Perverting the grace of Christ or neglecting to improve it.

2. Teaching every man(1) His privilege — to enjoy through Christ remission of sins — to be adopted into God's family — to be sanctified wholly — to obtain a seat at last in the kingdom of God's glory.

(2) The way to obtain these privileges — "Repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ."(3) His duty

(a)  to God, to love, serve, honour, and obey Him, and that until death;

(b)  to the nation, of which he is a subject, "to fear God and work righteousness."

(c)  To the world, of which he is a citizen.

III. THE GREAT END WHICH A CHRISTIAN MINISTER HAS TO KEEP IN VIEW. That every man may be —

1. Perfectly instructed in the doctrines, privileges, and duties of the Christian faith.

2. Perfected in the love of Christ.

3. So as to be presented blameless at the coming of Christ.

(J. Waterhouse.)

I. WHOM A GOSPEL MINISTER SHOULD PREACH. Christ.

1. On the cross. No other sacrifice but His could avail to roll the reproach from a guilty world. There is salvation in none other.

2. In the grave triumphing over death, bringing life and immortality to light, becoming the pledge of our resurrection.

3. On the throne able to save, protect, rule.

4. On the judgment-seat.

II. HOW A GOSPEL MINISTER SHOULD PREACH.

1. Warning every man

(1)  by the threatenings of the Divine law;

(2)  of his responsibility for religious privileges.

2. Teaching every man —

(1)  The love of God.

(2)  The duty of man.

III. THE GREAT END OF THIS PREACHING. To present every man —

1. Perfect in the attributes of a renewed and glorified nature.

2. To be secured by union with Christ.

(D. Moore, M. A.)

I. THE NATURE of the Apostolic Ministry — "Preach."

1. Paul was no ritualist. The day for ritualism was gone by. The Christ dimly seen in the world's childhood through the old economy was now fully revealed, and must be presented in a manner suited to the reason and heart of full-grown men.

2. Paul had no philosophy to elaborate; the realities of the gospel had superseded its speculations useful as they once were.

3. Paul was a preacher. He proclaimed war against sinners, peace to the penitent.

II. ITS SUBJECT.

1. A personal act, not a sublime legend or poetic myth.

2. Christ as distinguished from every other person.

(1)  From angelic or saintly mediators.

(2)  From himself, "We preach not ourselves," etc.

3. Christ as a Person as distinguished from Christianity any part of it as a thing. Christ, and not merely

(1)  Christ's example.

(2)  Christian theology.

(3)  The sacraments.

III. ITS CHARACTERISTIC was to so present Christ that the Master might do His own work in His own way. Hence his ministry was —

1. Admonitory.

(1) He preached a Saviour. So as to show that the cost and character of His salvation were such as to involve those to whom He was offered in a tremendous responsibility.

(2) He preached Christ as the only Saviour, and thus set the issues of accepting or rejecting Him clearly before men.

(3) As the Judge.

2. Instructive. Paul teaches every man by

(1)  Setting forth the Instructor.

(2)  The Teacher as the education — "That I may know Him."

(3)  Wise. "In all wisdom."

(4)  Universal. "Every man."

IV. ITS AIM.

1. Christ is the sphere in which Christian perfection is to be attained.

2. In Christ the believer is perfect.

3. Perfect in Christ we are presented for acceptance, consecration, work, warfare, and reward.

(J. W. Burn.)

---

---

KJV: Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus:

WEB: whom we proclaim, admonishing every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus;