The life and work of St. Paul

408
frequent bursts uf impassioned eloquence. The depth of tenderness winch is
here revealed towards all who were noblo and true, may serve as s measure
for the insolence and wrong which provoked in the concluding chapters so
stern an indignation. Of nil the Epistles it 13 the one -winch enables ns to
look deepest into the Apostle's heart.
Another characteristic of the letter has been observed by tho quick insight
" "
of Bengel. The whole letter," he says, reminds H3 of an itinerary, but
interwoven with the noblest precepts," "Tho very stages of his journey are
impressed upon it," says Dean Stanley, "the troubles at Ephesns, the anxiety
of Troas, tho consolations of Macedonia, tho prospect of 1
moving to Corinth."
After the greeting, in which he associates Timothy who was probably his
amanuensis with himself, and with brief emphasis styles himself an
"
Apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God," he begins the usual expression
of thankfuliicss, in which the words " tribulation " and " consolation " are
inextricably intertwined, and in which ha claims for the Corinthians a union
with him in both.
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" Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of
mercies, and God of all consolation, who consoleth. us in all our tribulation, that we
may bo al-lo to console those in all tribulation, by the consolation wherewith
v/e are ourselves consoled by God. For as the sufferings of Christ abound towards
us, so by Christ aboundeth also our consolation. But whether we are troubled, it
is for your consolation and salvation which worketh in the endurance of the same
sufferings which we also suffer, and our hope is sure on your behalf 3
; or whether
V.-C- are consoled, it is for your consolation and salvation, knowing that as ye ara
^uvtakers of the sufferings, eo also of the consolation." 3
He then alludes to the fearful tribulation, excessive and beyond his strength,
whether caused by outward enemies or by sickness, through which he has just
passed in Asia, which has brought him to the verge of despair and of the grave, in
order that be may trust solely in Him who raiseth the dead. "Who from such a
death rescued us, and will rescue, on whom we have hoped that even will
yet Hs
rescue." And as it was the supplication of many which had won for him this great
charism, ho asks that their thanksgivings may be added to those of maay, and that
their prayers may still be continued in his behalf. 4
For however vils might be the insinuations against Kim, he is proudly conscious
8 cf tho simplicity and sincerity of his relations to all men, and especially to them,
"
not in carnal wisdom, but in the grace of God." Some had suspected him of
writing private letters and secret messages, of intriguing in fact with individual
members of his congregation but he tells ;
them that ho wroto nothing except what
they are now reading, and fully recognise, as he hopes they will continue to
recognise, and even moro fully than heretofore, even as some of them 6 already
recognised, that they and he are a mutual subject of boasting in the day of the
Lord. Thit was the reason why ho had originally intended to pay them two visits
instead of one. Had he then been guilty of the levity, the fickleness, the caprice
1 The thread of the Epistle is historical, but It is interwoven with digressions. The brokaa
threads of narrative will be found in i. 8, 15 ii. ; 1, 12, 13; vii. 5 ; via. 1; is. 2; xiii. 1.
1 Verse 6. This is the position of these words in most uncial*.
" 1 Coromanlo sanctorum," Phil. li. 26 (Bengel).
*
1. 1 11 i. 8.