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I. PAUL'S GREAT ANXIETY NOT TO HINDER THE GOSPEL. He preached the gospel faithfully and with utmost earnestness, but:

1. He guarded anxiously against lessening the effect of his preaching by his conduct.

2. He realized that life speaks as well as verbal utterance.

3. That what is built up by the lip is often pulled down by the life.

II. PAUL'S EFFORTS TO AVOID IN LIFE AND CONDUCT THAT WHICH MIGHT HINDER THE GOSPEL. He sought not to give offence in anything (ver. 3). He dreaded proving a stumbling block to his hearers. So in every way he endeavoured to commend himself as a true minister of God, and thus to advance the cause which he had at heart. Illustrated:

1. In his endurance of trial and suffering. Here he exhibited amazing patience and fortitude.

(1) In those of a general kind. Afflictions, necessities, distresses. Of these he had a large share. Ministers, especially very active and devoted ones, must be prepared for a like experience.

(2) In those inflicted by enemies. Stripes, imprisonments, tumults. These were largely occasioned by his faithfulness to the gospel. He was so faithful to the gospel that he would bear these in such a spirit as to further advance that gospel among men. That which his enemies intended as a check he would transform into a help.

(3) In those of voluntary origin. Labours; working with own hands for support, and toiling in the ministry. Watchings; sleepless nights in travel, peril, and sickness occasioned by exposure or excessive effort. Fastings; "foodlessness" - he was often hungry when, if less devoted, he might have had abundance.

2. In the conduct of his ministry and life.

(1) Pureness. Chaste living. Disinterestedness. Singleness of motive.

(2) Knowledge. Knowledge of gospel truth, and this sincerely conveyed to hearers. A minister is often a hinderer through ignorance, especially through spiritual ignorance. But Paul sought to be thoroughly furnished, so that he might not retard but help forward the truth. To teach others he felt that he himself must be taught, and he was as diligent a learner as a teacher. Paul was well acquainted in every way with the gospel which he preached.

(3) Long suffering. Patient submission to wrongs. Not quick to retaliate. The pulpit may be irritable as well as the pew.

(4) Kindness. Gentleness. Courtesy. Benevolence. A kindness which ever meant usefulness.

(5) In the Holy Ghost. Showing in all utterance and conduct that he was under the influence of the Divine Spirit.

(6) Love unfeigned. A ministry of true love is a ministry of real power. To call our hearers, as some are very fond of doing, "beloved," is one thing; to have them truly in our hearts is another.

(7) The Word of truth. Ever preaching the truth as it is in Jesus. Not proclaiming human theories, but Divine revelations. Holding to the "one thing," and not carried about by every wind of doctrine. The weathercock preacher may be amusing, but he will do little to advance the gospel.

(8) The power of God. Upon this Paul relied. To this he submitted himself. He humbled himself into nothingness, that God might work through him and be all in all. He gave the praise of everything accomplished to the great Worker. And God specially honoured him by manifesting his power in and through him. Some ministers are too strong and great to accomplish anything. They can do without the power of God; they do without it, and then they do nothing except hinder the gospel.

(9) The armour of righteousness on the right hand and on the left. He was clad in the whole armour of God (Ephesians 6:13). Offensive and defensive. Himself justified and accepted and living in holiness; and weapons in his hand by which he smote evil wherever he saw it.

3. In the maintenance of consistency and integrity under specially trying circumstances. Whether he was held in honour or dishonour, whether subject to good report or evil, he strove to be ever the same, to preach the same gospel, to manifest the same spirit, to live the same life. His life and ministry were not dependent upon surroundings.

4. By not succumbing to adverse circumstances.

(1) Though branded as a deceiver, he convinced the candid that he was true and sincere.

(2) Though unknown in true character by many, his faithful persistent ministry and life made him well known to multitudes, and won their high regard.

(3) Though chastised by enemies and dying daily, his heroic spirit continued its hold upon God, and he was not overborne.

(4) Though sorrowful as to outward lot, his inward condition enabled him ever to rejoice, and his joy found constant expression and was a powerful tribute to the gospel.

(5) Though poor and outcast, he laboured so zealously in the gospel that many were made rich.

(6) Though seeming to have lost all possessions, he could and,did lay claim to everything. In the spirit of his own words to the Corinthians, "All things are yours" (1 Corinthians 3:21). Such conduct, spirit, life, bore the most powerful testimony to the gospel. Paul himself was a great sermon which, under God, shook the world. What Paul was is today one of the mightiest witnesses for Christianity. - H.

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KJV: Giving no offence in any thing, that the ministry be not blamed:

WEB: We give no occasion of stumbling in anything, that our service may not be blamed,