NOTES ON SCRIPTURE 1895 NO. 22
NOTES ON SCRIPTURE 1895 NO. 22
The Corinthians were occupied with spiritual gifts; the end of the commandment is love. We get the passive qualities in this chapter more than the active ones. We have love here and in John 13; the difference is that in the latter I remove from my brother all that hinders communion; in the former (1 Corinthians 13) I remove from myself what I am myself, and what interferes with love. I cannot act in love if I do not understand love. All service should spring from love; I cannot serve if I have not real love. I ought to be known as one who would die for the saints. We should look on one another as a gardener looks on his plants,
[p. 66] things to be watered and cared for. It is only as we advance in Christ that we become more practically clear of the flesh. The first lesson we learn is the one we finish with, that the flesh profiteth nothing. We never get on to another step until we have learned the one before it. The Corinthians were exhibiting their gifts. Edification is to meet the conscience; the great principle in ministry is, does it edify? A man who has love is more useful in a meeting than one who has a showy gift. It is wonderful how a man who has the welfare of the saints at heart gets on himself. There is great responsibility connected with the house of God. I have not merely to rebuke a brother, but to remove the defilement, I must wash his feet. All ministry is for the edifying of the body, so I have to consult the Lord; we are of Him. He is Head of the body. From Him we derive all that suits Him. We are members of His body; according to the type, she shall be called Ishshah, because she was taken out of Ish. This is the great mystery.