Weekly Pulpit 1 Corinthians 4:8-13 Now you are full, now you are rich, you have reigned as kings without us: and I would to God you did reign… I. THE SPECTACLE. 1. The actors were Divinely called. They appeared on the stage in answer to the behest of the highest will, guided in the selection by perfect wisdom. He who called David from the flock to preside over Israel, called these men from their daily avocations to preside over the affairs of the kingdom of heaven. 2. The actors were Divinely commissioned. The mission of apostolic life was special (1 Corinthians 5:18-20). 3. The actors were subjected to intense sufferings, and to cruel death. This was not accidental, but a part of their mission. They suffered in the tragedy to enforce its lessons (Matthew 10:16-18). It is almost certain that they all suffered martyrdom, except St. John. II. THE SPECTATORS. 1. Angels. We cannot say how their pure minds were affected, or what emotions throbbed in their breast. It appears from Ephesians 3:10, 11, that they gather lessons from the life of the Church militant. (1) They saw the power of truth in lifting man above circumstances. By this they discovered that he had a nobler nature than they had been wont to ascribe to him. (2) The apostles gloried in tribulation, and this went beyond their experience and joy. They returned from the theatre inflamed with a greater degree of devotion. (3) That spectacle had something to do with their final safety. They had often ministered to the apostles in their trials, which taught them more .perfect submission, and warmer obedience. No part of the audience realised the spectacle better than the angels. 2. Men. We have no difficulty in understanding the lessons which apostolic life teach us. (1) Entire consecration of life to the service of Christ. The apostles were not half-hearted or indifferent, but threw their heart and soul into the work. Can we look at this spectacle, and not be moved? (2) That the Christian life will surely vanquish difficulties. The boldness of faith is the same as that which encouraged the apostles to say — "We cannot but speak the things we have seen and heard." (Weekly Pulpit.) Parallel Verses KJV: Now ye are full, now ye are rich, ye have reigned as kings without us: and I would to God ye did reign, that we also might reign with you. |
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