the name of the Lord shall be saved.

14 How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher ?

15 And how shall they preach except they be sent ? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!

16 But they have not all obeyed the gospel for Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report?

17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

18 But I say, Have they not heard? Yes, verily, their sound went into all the earth, and their words unto the ends of the world.

19 But I say. Did not Israel know? First, Moses saith, I will provoke you to jealousy by them that are no people, and by a foolish nation I will anger you.

20 But Esaias is very bold, and saith, I was found of them that sought me not; I was made manifest unto them that asked not after me.

21 But to Israel he saith, All day long I have stretched forth my hands unto a disobedient and gainsaying people.

CHAPTER XI.

ISAY then, Hath God cast away his people? God forbid. For I also am an Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin.

Wot

2 God hath not cast away his people which he foreknew. ye not what the scripture saith of Elias? how he maketh intercession to God against Israel, saying,

3 Lord, they have killed thy prophets, and digged down thine altars; and I am left alone, and they seek my life.

4 But what saith the answer of God unto him? I have reserved to myself seven thousand men, who have not bowed the knee to the image of Baal.

5 Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace.

6 And if by grace, then is it no more of works; otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace; otherwise work is no more work.

7 What then? Israel hath not obtained that which he seeketh for; but the election hath obtained it, and the rest were blinded

8 (According as it is written, God hath given them the spirit of slumber, eyes that they should not see, and ears that they should not hear) unto this day.

15. Isaiah, lii. 7; Nahum, i. 15.Ver. 16. Isaiah, liii. 1.-Ver. 18. Ps. xix. 4; 1 Kings, xviii. 10.Ver. 19. Deut. xxxii. 21.-Ver. 20. Isaiah, lxv. 1.

Ver. 1. The apostle now shews, that though the Jews collectively had forfeited their claim to the high privileges they were destined to enjoy, yet even in respect to them the promises of God held good, for that there is a remnant according to the election of grace" who shall receive all the blessings promised to the people at large; and shall be as the seed of a regenerated nation.

Ver. 3. 1 Kings, xix. 18.- Ver. 8. Isaiah, xxix. 10; Deut. xxix. 4;

9 And David saith, Let their table be made a snare, and a trap, and a stumblingblock, and a recompence unto them:

10 Let their eyes be darkened, that they may not see, and bow down their back alway.

11 I say then, Have they stumbled that they should fall? God forbid but rather through their full salvation is come unto the Gentiles, for to provoke them to jealousy.

12 Now, if the fall of them be the riches of the world, and the diminishing of them the riches of the Gentiles; how much more their fulness?

13 For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify mine office;

14 If by any means I may provoke to emulation them which are my flesh, and might save some of them.

15 For if the casting away of them be the reconciling of the world, what shall the receiving of them be, but life from the dead?

16 For if the first-fruit be holy, the lump is also holy; and if the root be holy, so are the branches.

17 And if some of the branches be broken off, and thou, being a wild olive-tree, wert graffed in among them, and with them partakest of the root and fatness of the olivetree;

18 Boast not against the branches: but if thou boast, thou bearest not the root, but the root thee.

19 Thou wilt say then, The branches were broken off, that I might be graffed in.

20 Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not high-minded, but fear:

21 For if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest he also spare not thee.

22 Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness; otherwise thou also shalt be cut off.

23 And they also, if they abide not still in unbelief, shall be graffed in: for God is able to graff them in again.

24 For if thou wert cut out of the olive-tree, which is wild by nature, and wert graffed contrary to nature into a good olive-tree; how much more shall these, which be the natural branches, be graffed into their own olive-tree?

25 For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery. (lest ye should be wise in your own conceits,) that blindness. in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.

26 And so all Israel shall be saved; as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob:

27 For this is my covenant unto them, when I shall take away their

sins.

28 As concerning the gospel, they are enemies for your sakes: but as touching the election, they are beloved for the fathers' sakes.

Isaiah, vi. 9; Jer. v. 21; Ezek. xii. 2.-Ver. 9. Ps. Ixix. 22.-Ver. 13. This is a noble and striking apostrophe, worthy alike of the generous benevolence and spirituality of the apostle. Ver. 26. Isaiah, lix. 20; Isaiah, xxvii. 9;

29 For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance.

30 For as ye in times past have not believed God, yet have now obtained mercy through their unbelief;

31 Even so have these also now not believed, that through your mercy they also may obtain mercy.

32 For God hath concluded them all in unbelief, that he might have mercy upon all.

33 O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!

34 For who hath known the mind of the Lord ? or who hath been his counsellor ?

35 Or who hath first given to him, and it shall be recompensed unto him again?

36 For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen.

CHAPTER XII. BESEECH you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.

2 And be not conformed to this world; but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God.

3 Fer I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.

4 For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office;

5 So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.

6 Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith?

7 Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering; or he that teacheth, on teaching;

8 Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth merey, with cheerfulness.

9 Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil, cleave to that which is good.

10 Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another.

Jer. xxxi. 31.-Ver. 36. It is thus the inspired commentator on the mysteries of the divine dispensations concludes his argument; and it is thus, in all our meditations on the deep things of God, we should be ever mindful to acknowledge our incapability to find out his ways, and our conviction that whatever he does is agreeable to the laws of eternal truth and justice.

Ver. 1. The practical rules of holiness with which the remainder of the epistle is taken up, are such as could only have been given in the spirit of the gospel. First, says the apostle, present your bodies a living sacrifice; then, be transformed by the renewing of your mind: on which sound principles of Christian morality he rests the

11 Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit: serving the Lord;

12 Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer;

13 Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality.

11 Bless them which persecute you bless, and curse not.

15 Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep.

16 Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own

conceits.

17 Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men.

18 If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all

men.

19 Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.

20 Therefore, if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head.

21 Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.

CHAPTER XIII.

LET every soul be subject unto

the higher powers; for there is

no power but of God: the powers

that be are ordained of God.

2 Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God; and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation.

3 For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? Do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same;

4 For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil.

5 Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake.

6 For, for this cause pay ve tribute also: for they are God's ministers, attending continually upon this very thing.

grandest lesson of virtue ever read by a mere man to his fellow beings. -Ver. 19. Deut. xxxii. 35.- Ver. 20. Many explanations of the latter part of this verse have been offered by commentators. It has been supposed by some that an allusion is intended to the mole of melting metals by placing hot eoals upon them, and that the apostle meant to intimate, that the heart of an enemy might, in a similar manner, be softened by kindness. But the expression is a quotation from the book of Proverbs, (xxv, 21, 22;) and St Paul, it is probable, only adopted it as a well known proverb, without intending that the words should be taken in their close and direct sense.

Ver. 1. The sober and prudent counsel contained in the former part of this chapter-the elevated appeal to the sublimest principle of action in the latter, demand the closest attention: first, as they furnish us with an invaluable guide; and next, as they illustrate the character of she writer, who, zealous and ardent

7 Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to who fear; honour to whom honour.

8 Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law.

9 For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if there be any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

10 Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.

11 And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed.

12 The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light.

13 Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying:

14 But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.

CHAPTER XIV.

HIM that is weak in the faith receive ye, but not to doubtful disputations.

2 For one believeth that he may eat all things: another, who is weak, eateth herbs.

3 Let not him that eateth despise him that eateth not; and let not him which eateth not judge him that eateth for God hath received him.

4 Who art thou that judgest another man's servant? to his own master he standeth or falleth: yea, he shall be holden up; for God is able to make him stand.

5 One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind.

6 He that regardeth the day, regardeth it unto the Lord; and he

that regardeth not the day, to the Lord he doth not regard it. He that eateth, eateth to the Lord, for he giveth God thanks; and he that eateth not, to the Lord he eateth not, and giveth God thanks.

7 For none of us liveth to himself, and no man dieth to himself.

8 For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die unto the Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord's.

9 For to this end Christ both

as he was in the defence of the gospel, never lost sight of its moral applications to the great purposes of social life. - Ver. 14. Put ye on the Lord Jesus: this is always to be borne ia mind in every attempt we make to act either holily or wisely.

Ver. 1. The variety of opinion which prevailed respecting the ceremonial law, and the obligations of the Mosaic dispensatious, could scarcely fail of producing many controversies among the converts at Rome, as well as in other places. It is to these disputes, so useless and dangerous in themselves, St Paul alludes in the advice he now

died, and rose, and revived, that he might be Lord both of the dead and living.

10 But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment-seat of Christ.

11 For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.

12 So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.

13 Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumbling block, or an occasion to fall, in his brother's way.

14 I know, and am persuaded by the Lord Jesus, that there is nothing unclean of itself: but to him that esteemeth any thing to be unclean, to him it is unclean.

15 But if thy brother be grieved with thy meat, now walkest thou not charitably. Destroy not him with thy meat for whom Christ died.

16 Let not then your good be evi spoken of:

17 For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteous ness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.

18 For he that in these things serveth Christ is acceptable to God, and approved of men.

19 Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another.

20 For meat destroy not the work of God. All things indeed are pure : but it is evil for that man who eateth with offence.

21 It is good neither to eat flesh, nor to drink wine, nor any thing whereby thy brother stumbleth, or is offended, or is made weak.

22 Hast thou faith? Have it to

thyself before God. Happy is he that condemneth not himself in that thing which he alloweth.

23 And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is in.

CHAPTER XV.

WE then that are strong ought

to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves. 2 Let every one of us please his neighbour for his good to edifica

tion.

3 For even Christ pleased not himself; but, as it is written, The reproaches of them that reproached thee fell on me.

4 For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning; that we, through patience and comfort of the scriptures, might have hope.

5 Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be like minded one toward another, according to Christ Jesus;

6 That ye may with one mind. and one mouth glorify God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. 7 Wherefore receive se oue all

offers. Ver. 11. Isa. xlv. 23. Ver. 23. There is, therefore, no excuse for those who endeavour to still their consciences when about to commit a sin which they would fain convince themselves is not a sin: the doubt they feel seals their condemnation.

Ver. 3. Ps. Ixix. 9.-Ver. 8. See

other, as Christ also received us, to the glory of God.

8 Now I say, that Jesus Christ was a minister of the circumcision for the truth of God, to confirm the promises made unto the fathers:

9 And that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy; as it is written, For this cause I will confess to thee among the Gentiles, and sing unto thy name.

10 And again he saith, Rejoice, ye Gentiles, with his people.

11 And again, Praise the Lord, all ye Gentiles; and laud him, all ye people.

12 And again Esaias saith, There shall be a root of Jesse, and he that shall rise to reign over the Gentiles; in him shall the Gentiles

trust.

13 Now, the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.

14 And I myself also am persuaded of you, my brethren, that ye also are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, able also to admonish one another.

15 Nevertheless, brethren, I have written the more boldly unto you in some sort, as putting you in mind, because of the grace that is given to me of God,

16 That I should be the minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, ministering the gospel of God, that the offering up of the Gentiles

thitherward by you, if first I be somewhat filled with your company.

25 But now I go unto Jerusalem to minister unto the saints.

26 For it hath pleased them of Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain contribution for the poor saints which are at Jerusalem.

27 It hath pleased them verily; and their debtors they are. For if the Gentiles have been made partakers of their spiritual things, their duty is also to minister unto them in carnal things.

28 When therefore I have performed this, and have sealed to them this fruit, I will come by you into Spain.

29 And I am sure that, when 1 come unto you, I shall come in the fuluess of the blessing of the gospel of Christ.

30 Now, I beseech you, brethren, for the Lord Jesus Christ's sake, and for the love of the Spirit, that ye strive together with me in your prayers to God for me;

31 That I may be delivered from them that do not believe in Judea; and that my service which I have for Jerusalem may be accepted of the saints;

32 That I may come unto you with joy by the will of God, and may with you be refreshed.

33 Now the God of peace be with you all. Amen.

CHAPTER XVI.

17 I have therefore whereof I may glory through Jesus Christ in those things which pertain to God.

18 For I will not dare to speak of any of those things which Christ hath not wrought by me, to make the Gentiles obedient, by word and deed,

19 Through mighty signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God; so that from Jerusalem, and round about unto Illyricum, I have fully preached the gospel of Christ.

20 Yea, so have I strived to preach the gospel, not where Christ was named, lest I should build upon another man's foundation:

21 But as it is written, To whom he was not spoken of, they shall see and they that have not heard shall understand.

22 For which cause also I have been much hindered from coming

chap. iii.; Acts, iii. 25; xiii. 46.Ver. 9. Ps. xviii. 49; Deut. xxxii. 43.-Ver. 11. Ps. cxvii. J. Ver. 12. Isaiah, xi. 1-10. Ver. 20. This was the apostle's reason for not having visited Rome, and it was a reason which he knew the faithful worshippers of Christ would receive with joy Ver. 21. Isaiah, lii. 15. Ver. 85. Acts, xix. 21; xx. 22; 569

our sister, which is a servant of the church which is at Cenchrea;

2 That ye receive her in the Lord, as becometh saints, and that ye assist her in whatsoever business she hath need of you: for she hath been a succourer of many, and of myself also.

3 Greet Priscilla and Aquila my helpers in Christ Jesus;

4(Who have for my life laid down their own necks: unto whom not only I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles ;)

5 Likewise greet the church that is in their house. Salute my wellbeloved Epenetus, who is the firstfruits of Achaia unto Christ.

6 Greet Mary, who bestowed much labour on us.

7 Salute Andronicus and Junia,

xxiv. 17. The allusions here to the circumstances mentioned in the Acts, merit particular attention. They prove both the correctness of the narrative, and the authenticity of the epistle. Ver. 26. 1 Cor. xvi. 1; 2 Cor. viii. 1; ix. 2.-Ver. 31. 2 Thess. iii. 2.

Vor. 1. The apostle concludes this valuable epistle by commending Phebe, the bearer of it, to the attention the Roman Christians, and saluting with brotherly affec tion those who were best known among them for faith and devotion. Aquila and Priscilla were also now at Rome, and, from the mention of others who had shared with the apostle in his labours and sufferings, most of those who had left that city, according to the decree of Claudius, appear to have returned thither after his death. Ver. 7.

my kinsmen, and my fellow-prisoners, who are of note among the apostles, who also were in Christ before me.

8 Greet Amplias, my beloved in the Lord.

9 Salute Urbane, our helper in Christ, and Stachys my beloved.

10 Salute Appelles approved in Christ. Salute them which are of Aristobulus' household.

11 Salute Herosion my kinsman. Greet them that be of the household of Narcissus, which are in the Lord.

12 Salute Tryphena and Tryphosa, who labour in the Lord. Salute the beloved Persis, which laboured much in the Lord.

13 Salute Rufus, chosen in the Lord, and his mother and mine.

14 Salute Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermas, Patrobas, Hermes, and the brethren which are with them.

15 Salute Philologus, and Julia, Nereus, and his sister, and Olympas, aud all the saints which are with them.

16 Salute one another with an holy kiss. The churches of Christ salute you.

17 Now, I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.

18 For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.

19 For your obedience is come abroad unto all men. I am glad therefore on your behalf: but yet I would have you wise unto that which is good, and simple concerning evil.

20 And the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.

21 Timotheus my work-fellow, and Lucius, and Jason, and Sosipater, my kinsmen, salute you.

22 1 Tertius, who wrote this epistle, salute you in the Lord.

23 Gaius mine host, and of the whole church, saluteth you. Erastus, the chamberlain of the city, saluteth you, and Quartus a brother.

24 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.

25 Now, to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus. Christ, (according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began,

26 But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith ;)

27 To God only wise, be glory through Jesus Christ for ever. Amen.

Written to the Romans from Corinthus, and sent by Phebe, servant of the church at Cenchrea.

Kinsmen: so called probably because Jews. See chap. iii. Fellow prisoners; 2 Cor. xi. 23.

3 B2

7 But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory;

8 Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.

9 But, as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.

10 But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.

11 For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God.

12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.

13 Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.

14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him; neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.

15 But he that is spiritual judg eth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man.

16 For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.

CHAPTER III.

AND 1. brethren, could not speak

unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ.

2 I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ve able.

3 For ye are yet earnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?

4 For while one saith, I am of Paul; and another, I am of Apollos; are ye not carnal?

5 Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers by whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to every man?

6 I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase.

7 So then, neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that

for their contemplation far grander and more sublime than any of those unfolded in the systems of human philosophy. Ver. 9. Isa. Ixiv. 4.

Ver. 16. The whole of this chapter calls for the most serious meditation. It shews incontrovertibly the necessity of spiritual assistance for the understanding of the word of God.

Ver. 1. The apostle, continuing the reasoning in the last chapter, here intimates to the Corinthians, that he could not with prudence or safety explain to them the mysteries revealed by the Spirit, because of their yet unspiritual state. Had they been spiritual, they would have thought more of the Author of the Gospel, and not have divided themselves into parties, where one God and one Mediator were the common hope of all.

watereth; but God that giveth the increase.

8 Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one; and every man shall receive his own reward, according to his own labour.

9 For we are labourers together with God: ye are God's husbandry; ye are God's building.

10 According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise master-builder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon.

11 For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.

12 Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble;

13 Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is.

14 If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward.

15 If any man's work shall be burnt, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.

16 Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?

17 If any man defile the temple. of God, him shall God destroy: for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.

18 Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you seemeth to be wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be wise.

19 For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God: for it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness.

20 And again, The Lord knoweth the thoughts of the wise, that they are vain.

21 Therefore let no man glory in men for all things are yours;

22 Whether Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas, or the world, or life, or death, or things present, or things to come; all are yours;

23 And ye are Christ's; and Christ is God's.

CHAPTER IV.

LET a man so account of us as

of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God. 2 Moreover, it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.

3 But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged of you, or of man's judgment; yea, I judge not mine own self;

4 For I know nothing by myself; yet am I not hereby justified: but he that judgeth me is the Lord.

5 Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsel of the hearts; and then shall every man have praise of God.

6 And these things, brethren, I have in a figure transferred to myself and to Apollos for your sakes; that ye might learn in us not to think of men above that which is written, that no one of you be puffed up for one against another.

7 For who maketh thee to differ from another? and what hast thou

Ver. 7. This is spoken in allusion

8 Now ye are full, now ye are rich, ye have reigned as kinga without us: and I would to God ye did reign, that we also might reign with you.

9 For I think that God hath set forth us the apostles last, as it were appointed to death: for we are made a spectacle unto the world, and to angels, and to men.

10 We are fools for Christ's sake, but ye are wise in Christ: we are weak, but ye are strong: ye are honourable, but we are despised.

11 Eren unto this present hour we both hunger, and thirst, and are naked, and are buffeted, and have no certain dwelling-place;

12 And labour, working with our own hands: being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we suffer it;

18 Being defamed, we entreat: we are made as the filth of the world, and are the off-scouring of all things unto this day.

14 I write not these things to shame you, but, as my beloved sons, I warn you.

15 For though ye have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet have ye not many fathers; for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel.

16 Wherefore, I beseech you, be ye followers of me.

17 For this cause have I sent unto you Timotheus, who is my beloved son, and faithful in the Lord, who shall bring you into remembrance of my ways which be in Christ, as I teach every where in every church.

18 Now some are puffed up, as though I would not come to you.

19 But I will come to you shortly, if the Lord will, and will know, not the speech of them which are puffed up, but the power.

20 For the kingdom of God is not in word, but in power.

21 What will ye? shall I come unto you with a rod, or in love, and in the spirit of meekness?

CHAPTER V.

IT is reported commonly that there is fornication among you, and such fornication as is not so much as named among the Gentiles, that one should have his father's wife.

2 And ye are puffed up, and have not rather mourned, that he that hath done this deed might be taken away from among you.

3 For 1 verily, as absent in body, but present in spirit, have judged already, as though I were present, concerning him that hath so done this deed,

to the boasting pretences of those who had assumed the pre-eminence in the church at Corinth; for had they possessed all the powers and graces to which they pretended, they would have been indebted for them to the same great Head of the church from whom the apostles received theirs.

Ver. 1. It was unlawful, even among the Gentiles, for a son to marry the widow of his father; but the Christians at Corinth, pretending to a liberty which the Gospel did not allow them, had seen one of their members contract a prohibited marriage of this kind, and instead of censuring it, hal