Chapter V: AUTOGRAPH CONCLUSION.--1. The Judaisers' motive (ch. vi. 12, 13) (9)

+III. The insincerity of the false teachers was apparent in their not keeping the law themselves, but in boasting of the number of their converts to its external observance.+--"For neither they themselves who are circumcised keep the law; but desire to have you circumcised, that they may glory in your flesh" (ver. 13). The Judaists were not only cowardly, but insincere. It was not the glory of the law they were concerned about, but their own success. If they had tried to convert the heathen, however imperfect might be their creed, they would have merited some respect; but, like some religious troublers to-day, they selected for their prey those who were already converted. They practised their wiles on the inexperience of young believers, as they expected to gather from that class the greater number of proselytes of whom to make their boast. "Their policy was dishonourable both in spirit and in aim. They were false to Christ in whom they professed to believe, and to the law which they pretended to keep. They were facing both ways, studying the safest not the truest course, anxious in truth to be friends at once with the world and Christ. Their conduct has found many imitators, in men who make godliness a way of gain, whose religious course is dictated by considerations of worldly self-interest. Business patronage, professional advancement, a tempting family alliance, the _entrée_ into some select and envied circle--such are the things for which creeds are bartered, for which men put their souls and the souls of their children knowingly in peril."

+Lessons.+--1. _The false teacher may be the occasion of much mischief and spiritual loss._ 2. _He succumbs in the presence of suffering._ 3. _He is more anxious for public success than for the spread of the truth._

_GERM NOTES ON THE VERSES._

Ver. 12. _The Odium of the Cross of Christ._

+I. The history of the cross.+--It is a history of sin on our part, and of suffering on the part of Christ. What a change has been produced in the moral aspect of the universe by the preaching of the cross!

+II. The odium connected with the cross.+--There is odium and suffering connected with the cross still; in some shape we shall suffer persecution for it. If we will lead a holy life, then suffering, persecution, reproach, hatred and ill-will, sarcasm, wit, ridicule, and obloquy will be cast upon us. It was said by one, when several were expelled from one of our universities, that "if some are expelled for having too much religion, it is high time to begin to inquire whether there are not some who have too little." If we speak of the reproach of the cross, what should that reproach be? Not that you have too much religion, but that you have too little, and that many of you have none at all.

+III. As to those who suffer persecution for the cross,+ it is the greatest possible honour to be laughed at, mocked, and insulted for the sake of the Saviour. If the spirit of the martyrs influenced us, there would be no shunning of persecution on account of the cross, but suffering would be welcomed with joy.--_The Pulpit._

_Christianity and Persecution._

+I. We should suspect ourselves+ that our hearts are not sound, nor
our practice sincere, +when all men speak well of us.+

II. We must not be discouraged +though there be never so many that
make opposition, or so mighty+ that raise persecution against
us.

III. That we think it not strange +when we find affliction or meet
with persecution.+ The Gospel and persecution go hand in hand,
or follow one another inseparably.--_Perkins._

Ver. 13. _Empty Boasting_--

+I. When professed teachers do not practise the virtues they
enforce on others.+

+II. When zeal for the observance of outward rites disguises the
lack of personal godliness.+

+III. When success is sought simply to be able to boast of success.+

_MAIN HOMILETICS OF THE PARAGRAPH.--Verses_ 14, 15.

_Glorying in the Cross_--

+I. Because of the great truths it reveals.+--"But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ" (ver. 14). "The cross of our Lord Jesus Christ" is a comprehensive phrase signifying the whole redeeming work of Christ--the salvation effected for the race by His crucifixion and death upon the cross. The problem how God can forgive sin without any breach in His moral government, or dimming the lustre of His perfections, is solved in the cross. God is great in Sinai. The thunders precede Him, the lightnings attend Him, the earth trembles, the mountains fall in fragments. But there is a greater God than this. On Calvary, nailed to a cross, wounded, thirsting, dying, He cries, "Father, forgive them; they know not what they do!" Great is the religion of power, but greater is the religion of love. Great is the religion of implacable justice, but greater is the religion of pardoning mercy. The cross was the master-theme of the apostle's preaching and the chief and exclusive subject of his glorying.

+II. Because of its contrast to effete ceremonialism.+--"For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth anything, nor uncircumcision" (ver. 15). To the Jew circumcision was everything. By the cross Judaism, as a means of salvation, is utterly abolished. Uncircumcision includes all Gentile heathenism. Before the cross all heathen religions must perish. The Gentile cultus was never intended to supplant Jewish customs; both are excluded as unavailing in human salvation. The devotees of form and ceremony are apt to develop into bigotry and pride; the foes of ritualism are in danger of making a religion of their opposition; and both parties indulge in recriminations that are foreign to the spirit of Christianity. "Thus, I trample on the pride of Plato," said the cynic, as he trod on the philosopher's sumptuous carpets; and Plato justly retorted, "You do it with greater pride." Ceremonialism is effete, and is not worth contending about. It is nothing; Christ is everything, and the cross the only subject worthy of the Christian's boast.

+III. Because of the moral change it effects.+--"But a new creature"--a new creation (ver. 15). In the place of a dead ceremonialism the Gospel plants a new moral creation. It creates a new type of character. The faith of the cross claims to have produced not a new style of ritual, not a new system of government, but new men. The Christian is the "new creature" which it begets. The cross has originated a new civilisation, and is a conspicuous symbol in the finest works of art. Ruskin, describing the artistic glories of the Church of St. Mark in Venice, says: "Here are all the successions of crowded imagery showing the passions and pleasures of human life symbolised together, and the mystery of its redemption: for the maze of interwoven lines and changeful pictures lead always at last to the cross, lifted and carved in every place and upon every stone, sometimes with the serpent of eternity wrapped round it, sometimes with doves beneath its arms and sweet herbage growing forth from its feet; but conspicuous most of all on the great rood that crosses the church before the altar, raised in bright blazonry against the shadow of the apse. It is the cross that is first seen and always burning in the centre of the temple, and every dome and hollow of its roof has the figure of Christ in the utmost height of it, raised in power, or returning in judgment." The true power of the cross is not artistic or literary or political, but moral. It is a spiritually transforming force that penetrates and guides every form of human progress.

+IV. Because of personal identification with its triumph over the world.+--"By whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world" (ver. 14). As the world of feverish pleasure, of legal ordinances, was conquered by the cross, so the faith of the apostle in the crucified One gave him the victory over the world, so that it lost all power to charm or intimidate. The world of evil is doomed, and the power of the cross is working out its ultimate defeat. I have seen a curious photograph of what purports to be a portrait of the Saviour in the days of His flesh, and which by a subtle manipulation of the artist has a double representation. When you first look upon the picture you see the closed eyes of the Sufferer, and the face wears a pained and wearied expression; but as you gaze intently the closed eyes seem to gently open and beam upon you with the light of loving recognition. So, as you gaze upon the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ it seems to you the symbol of suffering and defeat, but as you keep your eyes steadily fixed upon it the cross gradually assumes the glory of a glittering crown, incorruptible, undefiled, and that fadeth not away (1 Pet. i. 4).

+Lessons.+--1. _The cross is the suggestive summary of saving truth._ 2. _The cross is the potent instrument of the highest moral conquests._ 3. _The cross is the loftiest theme of the believer's glorying._

_GERM NOTES ON THE VERSES._

Ver. 14. _Christ Crucified._

I. By Christ crucified +we have reconciliation with God,+
remission of sins, and acceptance to eternal life.

+II. We have the peace of God,+ peace with men, with ourselves,
with the creatures.

+III. We recover the right and title which we had in creation+ to all
the creatures and blessings of God.

+IV. All afflictions cease to be curses and punishments+ and become
either trials or corrections.

+V. Those who can truly glory in the cross are dead to the world
and the world to them.+

VI. We are taught +to carry ourselves in the world as crucified and
dead men,+ not to love, but to renounce and forsake
it.--_Perkins._

_Glorying in the Cross of Christ._

+I. We glory in the doctrine of the cross--the justification of guilty men through a propitiatory sacrifice--because of its antiquity.+--It was taught by patriarchs and prophets, the law of sacrifice was its grand hieroglyphical record, the first sacrifices were its types, the first awakened sinner with his load of guilt fell upon this rock and was supported, and by the sacrifice of Christ shall the last sinner saved be raised to glory.

+II. Because it forms an important part of the revelation of the New Testament.+

+III. As affording the only sure ground of confidence to a penitent sinner.+

+IV. Because of its moral effects.+--Not only in the superstitions and idolatries it has destroyed, the barbarous nations it has civilised, the cruel customs it has abrogated, and the kindly influence it has shed upon the laws and manners of nations; but in its moral effect on individuals, producing the most ardent love to God and kindling benevolence towards all--_Richard Watson._

_The True Glory of the Christian._

+I. The disposition of mind denoted by the expressions--"The world is crucified unto me; I am crucified to the world."+--1. The nature of it--a total rupture with the world. 2. The gradations of which it admits. Deadness to avarice and pride--in respect to exertion and actual progress--in respect of hope and fervour. 3. The difficulty, the bitterness, of making a sacrifice so painful.

+II. In such a disposition true glory consists.+--Comparison between the hero of this world and the Christian hero. The hero derives his glory from the greatness of the master he serves, from the dignity of the persons who have preceded him in the same honourable career, from the brilliancy of his achievements, from the acclamations his exploits excite. How much more the Christian hero!

+III. The cross of Christ alone can inspire us with these sentiments.+--If we consider it in relation to the atrocious guilt of those who despise it, in relation to the proofs there displayed of Christ's love, in the proofs it supplies of the doctrine of Christ, and in relation to the glory that shall follow.--_Saurin._

_The Cross a Burden or a Glory._

+I. There is the constant ordinary discipline of human life.+--Life when it is earnest contains more or less of suffering. There is a battle of good and evil, and these special miseries are the bruises of the blows that fill the air, sometimes seeming to fall at random and perplexing our reason, because we cannot rise to such height of vision as to take in the whole field at once.

+II. There is the wretchedness of feeling self-condemned.+--Law alone is a cross. Man needs another cross--not Simon's, but Paul's. He took it up, and it grew light in his hands. He welcomed it, and it glowed with lustre, as if it were framed of the sunbeams of heaven.

+III. The same spiritual contrast, the same principle of difference between compulsory and voluntary service, opens to us two interpretations of the suffering of the Saviour Himself.+--Neither the cross of Simon nor the cross of Paul was both literally and actually the cross of Christ. Its charm was that it was chosen. Its power was that it was free. The cross becomes glorious when the Son of God takes it up; there is goodness enough in Him to exalt it. It was the symbol of that sacrifice where self was for ever crucified for love.--_F. D. Huntington._

_The Cross--_

+I. The sinner's refuge.+

+II. The sinner's remedy.+

+III. The sinner's life.+

_The Glory of the Cross._

+I. The cross was the emblem of death.+

+II. Christ was not only a dead Saviour, but a condemned Saviour.+

+III. A disgraced Saviour,+ because the cross was a disgraceful kind
of punishment.

+IV. Paul gloried in the cross because it is an exhibition of the
righteousness of God.+

+V. Because it proclaims His love.+

+VI. The contemplation of Christ's cross helps us to conquer the
world.+--_Newman Hall._

_Glorying in the Cross._

+I. The subjects in which the apostle gloried.+--1. He might have gloried in his distinguished ancestry. 2. In his polished education. 3. In the morality of his former life. 4. In his extraordinary call to the apostleship. 5. In his high ecclesiastical position. 6. He did not glory in the literal cross. 7. Nor in the metaphorical cross. 8. But in the metonymical cross (1 Cor. i. 17; Col. i. 20).

+II. The characteristics of the apostle's glorying.+--1. His glorying was not merely verbal, but practical. 2. Not sectarian, but Christian and catholic. 3. Not temporary, but permanent.

+III. The reasons of the apostle's glorying.+--1. Here he saw a grander display of the Divine character and perfections than elsewhere. 2. This was the scene of the most glorious victory ever witnessed. 3. It was the centre of all God's dispensations. 4. The cross was the most powerful incentive to true morality. 5. Hence flowed all the blessings of the Gospel economy. 6. Here was made an atonement equal to the needs of our fallen world.

+Lessons.+--1. _Let us here see the purity of the moral law and the heinousness of sin._ 2. _Let the sinner come to the cross for pardon, purity, peace, and joy._--_W. Antliff._

_Glorying in the Cross._

+I. Paul's enthusiasm as expressed in the exclamation of the text.+

+II. One main source of his zeal lay in the subject of his enthusiasm.+--1. The cross is a fit subject for glory as symbolising _an infinite, boundless truth._ 2. Because it is _an eternal fact._ 3. Because it is _the ground of man's justification and the symbol of his redemption._

+III. Look at the result--crucifixion to the world.+--The true solution of the Christian's relationship to the world lies in the fact that it is a separation not in space but in spirit.--_J. Hutchinson, in "Scottish Pulpit."_

Ver. 15. _Scriptural View of True Religion._

+I. What true religion is not.+--1. It is not circumcision nor uncircumcision. 2. It is not an outward thing. (1) You are not religious because you have been baptised. (2) Because you are called a Christian, and have been born of Christian parents. (3) Because you frequent the Church, attend the Lord's Supper, and are regular at your devotions.

+II. What true religion is.+--1. It is not an outward but an inward thing. It is not a new name, but a new nature. A _new creation_ describes a great change in man. 2. The greatness of this change shows also the power by which it is wrought. Creation is a Divine work. 3. The rite of circumcision taught the necessity of the change. Though it was a _seal_ of the righteousness of faith, it was also a sign of the inward renewal and purification of the heart. Baptism in the Christian Church teaches the same truth. The texts of Scripture which set forth the evil nature of man set forth the necessity of this great change.--_Edward Cooper._

_The New Creature._--The new creature is the only thing acceptable to God. It is the renovation of the whole man, both in the spirit of our minds and in the affections of our heart. Neither the substance nor the faculties of the soul are lost by the Fall, but only the qualities of the faculties, as when an instrument is out of tune the fault is not in the substance of the instrument, nor in the sound, but in the disproportion or jar in the sound: therefore, the qualities only are renewed by grace. These qualities are either in the understanding or the will and affections. The quality in the understanding is knowledge; in the will and affections they are righteousness and holiness, both which are in truth and sincerity. Holiness performs all the duties of piety, righteousness the duties of humanity, truth seasoning both the former with sincerity.--_Ralph Culworth._

_The Necessity of a New Nature._--The raven perched on the rock where she whets her bloody beak, and with greedy eye watches the death-struggles of an unhappy lamb, cannot tune her croaking voice to the mellow music of a thrush; and since it is out of the abundance of the heart that the mouth speaketh, how could a sinner take up the strain and sing the song of saints?--_Guthrie._

_The New Birth begins our True Life._--A stranger passing through a churchyard saw these words written on a tombstone: "Here lies an old man seven years old." He had been a true Christian only for that length of time.

_MAIN HOMILETICS OF THE PARAGRAPH.--Verses_ 16-18.

_A Dignified and Touching Farewell_--

+I. Supplicates the best blessing on the truly righteous.+--"As many as walk according to this rule, peace be on them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of God" (ver. 16). Jewish discipline and pagan culture are for ever discredited by the new creation of moral virtue. The rule of the renewed inward life supersedes the works of the condemned flesh. On all who seek to regulate their lives according to this rule the apostle invokes the peace and mercy of God. Peace is followed by the mercy which guards and restores it. Mercy heals backslidings and multiplies pardons. She loves to bind up a broken heart or a rent and distracted Church. For the betrayers of the cross he has stern indignation and alarms of judgment. Towards his children in the faith nothing but peace and mercy remains in his heart. As an evening calm shuts in a tempestuous day, so this blessing concludes the epistle so full of strife and agitation. We catch in it once more the chime of the old benediction, which through all storm and peril ever rings in ears attuned to its note: "Peace shall be upon Israel" (Ps. cxxv. 5).

+II. Pleads the brand of suffering for loyalty to Christ as conclusive proof of authority.+--"From henceforth let no man trouble me: for I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus" (ver. 17). The apostle has sufficiently vindicated his authority by facts and arguments, and he would effectually silence all quibbles on this subject by triumphantly pointing to the marks of suffering on his own body received in his Master's service. These marks he carried wherever he went, like the standard-bearer of an army who proudly wears his scars. No man would have suffered as Paul did unless he was convinced of the importance of the truth he had received and of his supernatural call to declare the same. Suffering is the test of devotion and fidelity. For a picture of the harassed, battered, famished sufferer in the cause of Christ and His Gospel read 2 Cor. iv. 8-10, xi. 23-28. Marks of suffering are more eloquent than words. The highest eminence of moral perfection and influence cannot be reached without much suffering. It is a callous nature indeed that is not touched with the sight of suffering heroically endured. The calm bravery of the early Christians under the most fiendish persecution won many a convert to the truth.

+III. Concludes with an affectionate benediction.+--"Brethren, the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen" (ver. 18). Placing the word "brethren" at the end of the sentence, as in the Greek, suggests that, after much rebuke and admonition, the apostle bids his readers farewell with the warm-hearted expression of brotherhood. Notwithstanding fickleness on their part, his love towards them remains unchanged. He prays that the grace of Christ, the distinctive and comprehensive blessing of the new covenant, may continue to rest upon them and work its renewing and sanctifying power upon their spirit, the place where alone it can accomplish its most signal triumphs. Forgiveness for their defection and confidence in their restoration to the highest Christian privileges and enjoyment, are the last thoughts of the anxious apostle. Between them and moral bankruptcy is the prayerful solicitude of a good man.

+Lessons.+--1. _When argument is exhausted prayer is the last resource._ 2. _Prayer links Divine blessing with human entreaty._ 3. _Last words have about them a solemn and affecting efficacy._

_GERM NOTES ON THE VERSES._

Ver. 16. _The True Israel of God_--

+I. Are those who personally enjoy the inward righteousness that
comes through faith.+

+II. Who live consistently with their spiritual profession and the
truth they have embraced.+

+III. Enjoy the Divine benedictions of mercy and peace.+

Ver. 17. _Marks of the Lord Jesus._

+I. The word picture here presented.+--1. _The figure_--slave-brands, στἱɣμɑτɑ. 2. _The facts_--Paul's historic experiences (1 Cor. iv. 9-15; 2 Cor. xi. 23-30). 3. _The challenge_--"Let no man trouble me."

+II. The suggestion the picture makes.+--1. He who follows the Lord Jesus must expect some will try to trouble him. 2. He whose marks are most conspicuous will be troubled the least. 3. He who has marks may take comfort in knowing how much his Master paid for him. 4. He who is owned may remember that his Master owns and recognises the marks also. 5. He that has no marks is either a better or a poorer Christian than the apostle Paul. 6. Satan outwits himself when he gives a believer more marks. 7. A sure day is coming when the marks will be honourable, for the body of humiliation will be like the glorious body of Christ.--_Homiletic Monthly._

_Marked Men._

+I. Ill-marked men.+--Think of the marks left on men by sickness, intemperance, impurity, crime, sin of any kind. Evil will always leave its mark.

+II. Well-marked men.+--1. _Christian marks_--the marks of Christ. Paul was the slave of Christ. Some of his marks for Christ were literal, as the _weals_ caused by the rods of the Roman Cæsars, the _red lines_ caused by scourging in Jewish synagogues, the _scars_ caused by repeated stonings. The marks of the Christian are mainly spiritual--marked by trustfulness, gentleness, purity, unselfishness.

2. _Distinct marks._--Marked that he may be recognised. If you have the marks of Jesus, confess and obey Him.

3. _Deep marks._--Branded on the body, not lines that can easily be removed, but going down to the flesh. Our Christian life is often feeble because it is not deep.

4. _Personal marks._--The marks of Jesus of no avail unless you possess them. No man can really trouble you if you bear branded on your body the marks of Jesus.--_Local Preacher's Treasury._

_Suffering for Jesus._

I. The scars of the saints for the maintenance of the truth +are the sufferings, wounds, and marks of Christ Himself,+ seeing they are the wounds of the members of that body whereof He is Head.

II. +They convince the persecutors that they are the servants of Christ who suffer thus for righteousness' sake.+

III. +If men be constant in their profession--in faith and obedience--the marks of their suffering are banners of victory.+--No man ought to be ashamed of them, no more than soldiers of their wounds and scars, but rather in a holy manner to glory of them. Constantine the Great kissed the holes of the eyes of certain bishops who had them put out for their constant profession of the faith of Christ, reverencing the virtue of the Holy Ghost which shined in them. 1. By suffering bodily afflictions we are made conformable to Christ. 2. They teach us to have sympathy with the miseries of our brethren. 3. Our patient enduring of affliction is an example to others and a means of confirming them in the truth. 4. They serve to scour us from the rust of sin.--_Perkins._

Ver. 18. _Concluding Benediction._

+I. The apostle invokes the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ.+--1. Because He is the fountain of it. 2. Because He is the conduit or pipe by which it is conveyed to us.

+II. Christ is called our Lord+--1. By right of creation. 2. Of inheritance. 3. Of redemption. 4. Of conquest. 5. Of contract and marriage.

+III. Observe the emphasis with which the apostle concludes the epistle.+--1. Opposing Christ, the Lord of the house, to Moses, who was but a servant. 2. The grace of Christ to inherent justice and merit of works. 3. The spirit in which he would have grace to be seated, to the flesh in which the false teachers gloried so much. 4. Brotherly unity one with another--implied in the word "brethren"--to the proud and lordly carriage of the false teachers.--_Ibid._

* * * * * * * *

+Transcriber's Notes+

- Page 1, Introduction, "Character" paragraph, add comma to "time
they"; remove comma from "numbers, and"; apply Reverential
Capitalisation (RC) to "the Gospel."

- Page 2, same paragraph, change "v. 15" reference to "ch. v. 15";
apply RC to "the Gospel." "Time of writing" paragraph, remove
comma from "certainty, and." "Purpose and analysis" paragraph,
apply RC to "the Gospel."

- Pages 2 and 3, table, change each reference to prefix "ch."

- Page 5, Notes for chapter i., verse 1, apply RC to "Divine source"
and "the Gospel." Verse 6, change "cf." to "cf. ch." Verses 8 and
9, apply RC to "his Gospel." Verse 12, apply RC to "the Gospel"
and "his Gospel." Verse 16, apply RC to "the Gospel."
Lesson "Apostolic Credentials," point I, apply RC to "Divine authority."

- Page 6, same lesson, point I, apply RC to "Divine character";
remove comma from "God, and"; apply RC to "Divine stamp," "Divine
element," and "Divine authority." Point II, apply RC to "Divine
source" and "the Gospel." Point III, apply RC to "are Divine" and
"Divine love"; remove comma from "race, and"; add comma to "Oh,
the." Point IV, apply RC to "Gospel salvation"; add comma to
"words we"; apply RC to "the whole Gospel" and "the Gospel";
remove comma from "nutshell, and"; apply RC to "Divinely provided"
and "the Gospel."

- Page 7, same lesson, point IV, apply RC to "Divinely revealed."
Application ("Lessons"), apply RC to "the Gospel." "The Power"
note, remove comma from "them, and." "Grace and Peace" note, point
I, remove comma from "man, but."

- Page 8, "Unselfishness" note, apply RC to "Divine character."
"Christ our Sacrifice" note, point II, add comma to "Therefore
all."

- Page 9, lesson "The One Gospel," point I, apply RC to "one true
Gospel," "one Gospel," and "the Gospel"; remove comma from
"methods, and." Point II, apply RC to "one Gospel." Point II. 1,
apply RC to "true Gospel," "one Gospel," "true Gospel," and "the
Gospel." Application ("Lessons"), apply RC to "infallible Gospel."
"Remonstrance" note, point II, remove comma from "part, and."
Point III, remove comma from "wax, and"; apply RC to "the Gospel"
(twice).

- Page 10, same note, same paragraph, apply RC to "the Word." Point
IV, apply RC to "the Gospel" and "one Gospel." Point V, apply RC
to "the Gospel" (four times); remove comma from "word, and."
"Perversion" note, point I, apply RC to "the Gospel." Point II,
apply RC to "Divine purpose." "Disappointed Hopes" note, apply RC
to "the Gospel"; add comma to "sweetened and." "Inviolable Unity"
note, apply RC to "one Gospel."

- Page 11, same note, apply RC to "the Gospel" (twice).
"Inviolability of Christianity" note, point I, apply RC to "the
Gospel" (thrice); remove comma from "eye, but"; and apply RC to
"that Word." Point II, apply RC to "Divine origin" and "Divine
benediction." Point IV, apply RC to "Divine truth."

- Page 12, same note, point V, apply RC to "the Gospel." "Best
Authority" note, add a missing sentence-ending period after "St.
Peter"; add double quotes around the response "No."

- Page 13, "True Gospel" note, point IV, apply RC to "the Gospel"
(twice). Lesson "Superhuman Origin," point I, apply RC to "the
Gospel" (thrice). Point II, apply RC to "the Gospel" (twice), "a
Gospel," and "Divine Master." Point III, apply RC to "the Gospel"
(twice) and "Divine message" (across page break).

- Page 14, same lesson, same point, apply RC to "the Gospel" (twice)
and "Divine origin." Application ("Lessons"), apply RC to "the
Gospel," "saving Gospel," "the Gospel," and "Divine gift."
"Fidelity" note, point I, add sentence-ending period after "they
utter." Point II, apply RC to "the Word." Point III, apply RC to
"the Gospel." "Servant of Christ" note, point I, apply RC to "the
Gospel"; remove comma from "dishonourable, unless" apply RC to
"the Gospel" (twice).

- The break between pages 14 and 15 is in the word "compelled":
com|pelled. In this and every subsequent case, the Transcriber
moved the whole word to the earlier page.

- Page 15, same lesson, point III, remove comma from "us, but";
apply RC to "He saved us" and "of His Word."

- The break between pages 15 and 16 is in the word "maintenance":
mainte|nance.

- Page 16, "The Gospel and the Call," point I, apply RC to "the
Gospel" and "the Word" (thrice). Point II, apply RC to "the
Gospel." Point III, apply RC to "the Gospel," "Divine authority,"
and "the Word." "Apostolic Assurance" note, apply RC to "the Word."

- Page 17, same note, apply RC to "the Gospel" (thrice).

- Page 18, lesson "Zealous Ritualist," point III, remove comma from
"heart, and"; apply RC to "the Word" and "God's Word." "Review of
a Misspent Life," apply RC to "the Word."

- Page 19, "True and False Zeal," point III, apply RC to "the Word,"
"the Gospel" (twice), "His Word," and "the Word." Lesson
"Imperative Claims," point I, apply RC to "Divinely destined" and
remove comma from "future, or." Poem, apply RC to "Divinity."
After poem, apply RC to "Divine element." Point II, apply RC to
"Divine revelation"; remove comma from "change, and"; apply RC to
"universal Gospel" and "Divine commission."

- Page 20, same lesson, point IV, apply RC to "the Gospel"; remove
commas from "response, and" and "hearer, and." Point V, apply RC
to "first Gospel pioneers." "Conversion" note, point II, apply RC
to "the Gospel."

- Page 21, same note, point IV, apply RC to "God's Word."
"Conversion as Illustrated" note, point I 2, apply RC to "Divine
grace" and "the Gospel" (twice). "Qualification" note, point II,
apply RC to "the Gospel." "Divine Call" note, remove comma from
"doubt, and."

- Page 22, same note, change the scripture reference after
"Jeremiah" from "i. 19" to "Jer. i. 19" to avoid any confusion.
"Divine call" note, apply RC to "the Gospel." Lesson "God
Glorified," point I, apply RC to "the Gospel" (twice).

- Page 23, same lesson, point III, apply RC to "the Gospel." Point
IV, apply RC to "Divine call" and "Divine work." Application
("Lessons"), apply RC to "the Gospel." "Self-conscious Truth"
note, apply RC to "the Word."

- Page 24, "Self-evidencing Proof" note, apply RC to "Divinely
commissioned." "God Glorified" note, apply RC to "if He continues."

- Page 25, Notes for chapter ii., verse 2, apply RC to "the Gospel"
and "Divine confirmation." Verse 9, apply RC to "the Gospel."
Verse 13, apply RC to "the Gospel." Verse 14, apply RC to "the
Gospel."

- Page 26, lesson "Confirmatory Proofs," point I, apply RC to
"Divinely directed" and "Divine call"; remove comma from
"apostles, and"; apply RC to "the Gospel" (twice). Point II, apply
RC to "the Gospel" (five times) and "Divine commission." Point
III, apply RC to "Divine authority" and "the Gospel" (twice).

- Page 27, same lesson, point IV, apply RC to "Divine commission"
and remove comma from "past, and." Application ("Lessons") apply
RC to "Divine call." "Truth its Own Evidence" note, apply RC to
"the Gospel."

- Page 28, same lesson, "False Brethren" note, point IV, remove
comma from "bondage, and." Point V, apply RC to "the Gospel."
Point VII, apply RC to "the Gospel." "A spy" note, remove comma
from "borrowed, and." "Fidelity" note, apply RC to "the Gospel"
(twice). "Truth" note, remove comma from "sword, and."
"Recognition" note, point II, apply RC to "distinctly Divine."

- The break between pages 28 and 29 is in the word "admitting":
ad|mitting.

- Page 29, same lesson, "Divine Blessing" note, apply RC to "the
Word." "Efficacy" note, point I, apply RC to "the Word." Point II,
apply RC to "the Word." Point III, apply RC to "the Word." Point
IV, remove comma from "apostle, because." Lesson "Christianity and
Poverty," point I 1, remove comma from "Christianity, but."

- Page 30, same lesson, point II, apply RC to "Spirit of the
Gospel." "Remember the Poor" note, point I, apply RC to "the
Gospel." Point II, apply RC to "the Word."

- Page 31, lesson "Fearless Defence," point I, apply RC to "the
Gospel."

- Page 32, same lesson, same point, apply RC to "the Gospel." Point
II, remove commas from "it, and" and "sin, but." Point III, apply
RC to "Divine character" and "Divine order" and change "brganic
life" to "organic life." "Astute Defender" note, point I, change
"His power" to "his power," referring to Paul.

- Page 33, same lesson, "Power of Example," remove comma from "men,
and." "Erring Apostle" note, point I 1, remove comma from "law,
but." Point I 5, apply RC to "the Gospel." Point III 1, apply RC
to "the Word."

= Page 34, same lesson, "Justification" note, point III, add comma
to "Therefore it." Point IV, final sentence, the Transcriber
inserted a colon after "place."

- Page 35, "Christian Dead to the Law" note, point III, apply RC to
"the Gospel" (five times).

- Page 36, "Dead to the Law by the Law" note, point II, add
sentence-ending period after "law of Moses." Point III 1, remove
comma from "God, and." "Religious Life" note, point IV, apply RC
to "the Divine."

- Page 37, "Love of the Son" note, point I, apply RC to "the
Divine." Point II, add the hyphen to "self-denial." "Life of
Faith" note, point I 2, remove comma from "salvation, but."

- Page 38, "Life of Faith" note, point I 6, apply RC to "the
Gospel." "Self-abolished" note, remove comma from "this, and."

- Page 39, Notes for chapter iii., verse 3, apply RC to "Divine
order." Verse 8, apply RC to "the Gospel" (thrice). Verse 17,
apply RC to "Divine covenant."

- The break between pages 39 and 40 is within an element that style
indicates should not be broken, "transgressions.|--To." In this
and every subsequent case, the Transcriber moved the entire
element to the earlier page.

- Page 40, lesson "Deceptive Glamour," point I, remove comma from
"colours, and"; add commas to "error their" and "diverted and."

- Page 41, same lesson, point II 2, apply RC to "Divine order."
Point III, apply RC to "Divine method." "Faithful Reproof" note,
apply RC to "the Gospel."

- Page 42, "Folly" note, point II, apply RC to "the Gospel." Point
III, apply RC to "the Word" (thrice). "Attractiveness" note, apply
RC to "His Word"; add "John xii. 32" reference.

- Page 43, same lesson, "Uses of Suffering" note, remove comma from
"adoption, and." "Miracles" note, apply RC to "the Gospel." Lesson
"Abrahamic Gospel," in point I, apply RC to and remove comma from
"the Gospel, and" and apply RC to "only Gospel." Point III, remove
comma from "blessing, but."

- Page 44, same lesson, application ("Lessons"), apply RC to "the
Gospel." "Righteousness through Faith" note, point I, apply RC to
"Divine method"; point III, apply RC to "unchanging Gospel."
"Imitators of Abraham's Faith" note, point III, apply RC to "the
Word." "All Nations" note, apply RC to "the Gospel" (thrice).

- Page 45, lesson "The Conflict," point I, remove comma from
"imperfection, and." Point II, apply RC to "the Gospel" (twice);
remove comma from "law, and." At the end of the paragraph, add
double quotes around "No."

- Page 46, same lesson, "The Inexorability" note, point I, remove
comma from "requirements, but." "Justified" note, add "Gen. i. 3"
reference. "The Difference" note, point I, apply RC to "the
Gospel" (twice). Each of points II and III, apply RC to "the
Gospel." Point IV, apply RC to "the Gospel" and "His work."

- Page 47, same lesson, same note, point V, apply RC to "the
Gospel." Point VI, apply RC to "the Gospel" (four times). Lesson
"Divine Covenant," point I, remove comma from "binding, and";
apply RC to "Divine covenant" (thrice); apply RC to "the Divine
Word" and "Divine character."

- Page 48, same lesson, application ("Lessons"), point 2, apply RC
to "Divine covenant." "Promise a Covenant" note, point I, apply RC
to "the Gospel" (twice).

- Page 49, same lesson, same note, point II, apply RC to "His bare
Word." Point III, add comma to "therefore it." "Divine and Human
Covenants" note, each of points II and III, apply RC to "Divine
covenant." "Law and Promise" note, remove comma from
"justification, and."

- Page 50, lesson "Inferiority of the Law," point III, apply RC to
"the Gospel"; remove comma from "man, and." Point IV, apply RC to
"Divine image."

- Page 51, same lesson, "No Trust" note, apply RC to "the Gospel."
"Use of the Law" note, each of points I and II, apply RC to "the
Gospel." "Unity" note, point 3, remove comma from "one, and."

- Page 52, lesson "True Use of the Law," point I, apply RC to
"Divine method" (twice). Point IV, remove comma from "Christ, and."

- On page 53, same lesson, "Great Prison" note, change "sabbathless"
to "Sabbath-less"; remove comma from "fast, and"; add comma to "So
when."

- On page 54, same lesson, "Shut up unto the faith" note, apply RC
to "the Gospel." Point II, remove comma from "is, and" and apply
RC to "the Gospel" (twice). Point III, apply RC to "the Gospel."

- Page 55, same lesson, "Law our Schoolmaster" note, in point III 3,
apply RC to "the Gospel" (twice).

- Page 56, same lesson, "Law preparing" note, point I, capitalize
"Day of Atonement." Each of points II and III, capitalize "Ten
Commandments." Point III, apply RC to "Divine plan" and "Divine
life."

- Page 57, same lesson, "Law a Schoolmaster" note, application
("Lessons"), apply RC to "Christ's Gospel." Lesson "Dignity of
Sonship," point I, remove comma from "training, and"; point III,
apply RC to "the Gospel"; remove comma from "provisions, and."

- Page 58, same lesson, point IV, add comma to "Surely he."
"Baptism" note, point III 2, apply RC to "Divine life."

- Page 59, same lesson, "God's Children" note, point VI, apply RC to
"Word of God." "Profession" note, remove comma from "doing, or";
add comma to "Nevertheless we."

- Page 60, same lesson, "Promise of Grace" note, apply RC to "whole
Gospel" and "the Word"; add comma to "therefore, the"; apply RC to
"the Gospel." Notes for chapter iv., correct "V r. 1" to "Ver. 1."
Verse 6, recognise "Abba" as Chaldee (Hebrew) and set it in
Italic; change "iii. 28" to "ch. iii. 28"; apply RC to "the
Gospel"; and add the sentence-ending period to the second sentence.

- Page 61, each of the notes for verses 17 and 30, apply RC to "the
Gospel." Lesson "Nonage," point I 2, remove comma from "blessings,
and." Point II 1, apply RC to "Divinely provided."

- Page 62, same lesson, point II, apply RC to "Divine Son." Point
II 2, apply RC to "Divine law." Point III 1, apply RC to "Divine
glow" and remove comma from "God, and." Point III 2, apply RC to
"Divine adoption." Application ("Lessons"), apply RC to "the
Gospel." "Christ's Mission" note, point I, apply RC to "Divine
power."

- Page 63, same lesson, same note, same point, remove comma from
"trial, and."

- Page 64, same lesson, "Adoption" note, point I, remove comma from
"name, and." Point II 1, change "iv. 6" to "ch. iv. 6."

- Page 65, same lesson, "Evidences of Sonship" note, point II 1,
apply RC to "the Word of God." Point II 3, apply RC to "Divine
manner." "God's Offspring" note, point 2, remove comma from
"Father, and."

- Page 66, lesson "Legalism a Relapse," point II, remove comma from
"religion, and." Point III, remove comma from "nature, but."

- Page 67, same lesson, "Dilemma" note, point I 2 (3), make "his
god" and "thy god" lowercase, because the focus has been taken
from God. "Ignorance" note, each of points 2 and 3, apply RC to
"Divine worship."

- Page 68, lesson "Pleadings," point I 2, apply RC to "the Gospel"
(twice). Point II 2, remove comma from "intellect, but."

- Page 69, same lesson, "Christian Brotherhood" note, point I,
remove comma from "men, or." Point II 1, remove comma from
"wilfully, and."

- Page 71, same lesson, "Objects" note, point II, apply RC to "the
Gospel" (twice). "Godly Zeal" note, point I 2, remove comma from
"excitement, and."

- Page 72, same lesson, same note, point I 5, remove comma from
"man, but." Point III 2, apply RC to "Divine designs." "True"
note, point I 1, apply RC to "Divine." Point II 5, apply RC to
"Divine approval." "Christmas" note, apply RC to "Divine Agent."

- Page 73, same lesson, "Doubt" note, point I 2, remove comma from
"knowledge, and"; point I 4, apply RC to "the Gospel." Lesson
"History," point I 2, apply RC to "the Gospel" and "Divine
freedom." In point II, apply RC to "the Gospel."

- Page 74, same lesson, point III, apply RC to "the Gospel" (thrice)
and add "1 Pet. i. 4" reference. Application ("Lessons"), apply RC
to "the Gospel" (twice). "Jerusalem Above" note, point III 2,
remove comma from "salvation, and."

- Page 75, same lesson, "Jerusalem a Type" note, point III, correct
"Messias" to "Messiah" and apply RC to "the Word." "Believers"
note, point II 4, add comma to "So believers" and "so it." Point
III 1, apply RC to "Divine love."

- Page 76, same lesson, "Fate" note, point I, remove comma from
"mocking, and." Notes for chapter v., verse 2, apply RC to "the
Gospel."

- Page 77, lesson "Christian Liberty," point I, correct
"where.|with" to "wherewith."

- Page 78, same lesson, in point II, capitalize "Negro" (twice).
Point III, remove comma from "good, but."

- Page 79, same lesson, "Bondage and Liberty" note, point V, remove
comma from "adoption, and." Point VI, remove comma from "memory,
but." Lesson "Christianity Superior," point II, apply RC to "the
Gospel"; remove comma from "aspect, and."

- Page 80, same lesson, same point, apply RC to "the Gospel."
"Righteousness attained" note, apply RC to "Divine worship" and
"the Word."

- Page 81, same lesson, "Religion is Faith working" note, point II,
apply RC to "the Word." Lesson "Disturber," point I, remove comma
from "result, and." Point II, apply RC to "Divine method" and
"Divine calling." Point III, apply RC to "the Gospel." Point IV 1,
apply RC to "Divine judgment" and remove commas from "truth, but"
and "himself, but."

- Page 82, same lesson, point IV 2, add double quotes around "Would
that the Judaising troubles would mutilate themselves"; remove
comma from "exhausted, and." "Like a Race" note, point I 4, remove
commas from "on, and" and "them, but."

- Page 83, same lesson, "Bad Companions" note, add comma to "course
it." "Disintegrating Force" note, point 1, remove comma from "God,
and" and apply RC to "the Word."

- Page 84, same lesson, "Perversion" note, point II, add comma to
"known and."

- Page 85, same lesson, "Judgment" note, remove comma from
"certainty, because." Lesson "Love," point I, remove comma from
"win, and."

- Page 86, same lesson, point III, remove comma from "quarrels,
but." Point IV, remove comma from "sphere, and" add double quotes
around "Be a man . . . as you can"; remove comma from "can, but."
"Abuse" note, point I, add comma to "Thus all."

- Page 87, same lesson, "Right Use" note, point II 1, apply RC to
"the Word."

- Page 88, same lesson, "Positiveness" note, point III, add comma to
"suppression but" apply RC to "the Gospel."

- Page 89, same lesson, "Walking in the Spirit" note, point I, apply
RC to "Divine nature." Each of points I 5 (1) and II 1 (2), apply
RC to "the Word." "The Strife" note, point I, change "imprison
Him" to "imprison him" referring to sin. Point II, apply RC to "in
Him."

- Page 90, same lesson, "Leading of the Spirit" note, apply RC to
"the Word."

- Page 91, lesson "Works," point II 1, apply Italic formatting to
"fornication" in the second sentence for consistency. Point II 2,
apply Italic formatting to "idolatry" for consistency; remove
comma from "lust, and"; apply RC to "the Divine." Point III, add
"and rises again" because man religious leaders have died, only
One has risen again. Use lowercase for "him whose own career it
describes" as referring to a saved person.

- Page 92, same lesson, "Biblical Account" note, remove comma from
"Testament, and"; capitalize "Adam's Fall"; remove comma from
"Testament, and." Lesson "Fruit," point I 1, add comma to "place
love" and apply RC to "Diviner meaning."

- Page 93, same lesson, point I 3, remove commas from "activity,
and" and "discipline, and."

- Page 94, same lesson, "Fruit" note, point I 1 (2), apply RC to
"the Word."

- The break between pages 94 and 95 is in the word "according":
accord|ing.

- Page 95, "Powers" note, add comma to "Christianity we." Point I,
remove comma from "miserable, and." Point IV, apply RC to "Divine
love" and "the Divine."

- Page 96, "Power of Meekness" note, remove comma from "peace, and."
"Grace of Gentleness" note, point I, apply RC to "the Divine."

- Page 97, same lesson, same note, point III, apply RC to "Divine
greatness." "Life and Walk" note, point II 2, remove comma from
"life, and." Point III, apply RC to "the Word." "Walking in the
Spirit" note, each of points I and III, apply RC to "the Word."

- Page 98, notes for chapter vi., verse 7, remove comma from "men,
but."

- Page 100, lesson "Mutual Sympathy," point II, add double quotes
around "If ye will . . . law of love." In point III. 2, remove
comma from "theirs, but" add double quotes around "What do others
fail to do" and "What am I . . . expects from me."

- Page 101, same lesson, point IV, remove comma from "you, and."

- Page 103, same lesson, "Bear One Another's Burdens" note, in point
4, remove comma from "turned, and"; apply RC to "dim Gospel."

- Page 104, same lesson, "Bearing One Another" note, add comma to
"so in."

- Page 106, same lesson, "Every Man" note, point I, apply RC to "the
Gospel." Lesson "Moral Sowing," point I, apply RC to "the Gospel."
Point II, apply RC to "Divine law."

- Page 107, same lesson, point III, remove comma from
"disappointment, and." "Pastors and People" note, point VI, apply
RC to "the Gospel" (twice).

- Page 108, same lesson, same note, same point, apply RC to "the
Gospel" (two additional times). "Ministerial Maintenance" note,
point 3, remove comma from "preach, and" and apply RC to "the
Word."

- Page 109, same lesson, "Double Harvest" note, point II 1, apply RC
to "the Gospel." Point II 2, apply RC to "Divine appointment" and
add comma to "end they." Change second point "II" to point "III."

- Page 110, "Sowing and Reaping" note, point II 3, apply RC to
"Divine approval."

- Page 111, same note, point III 3, apply RC to "Divine plaudit."

- Page 112, same lesson, "Reap if we faint not" note, point I 3 (2),
apply RC to "the Word."

- Page 113, same lesson, "Doing Good" note, point II, apply RC to
"Divine stanbard." Point IV, remove comma from "calling, and."

- Page 115, lesson "Apostolic Exposure," "Christianity and
Persecution" note, point III, apply RC to "the Gospel."

- Page 116, lesson "Glorying," point II, add comma to "Thus I."
Point III, apply RC to "the Gospel." The original third sentence
is "The faith of the cross claims to have produced not a new style
of ritual, a new system of government, but new men." The
Transcriber inserted the word "not" after the first comma for
clarity.

- Page 117, same lesson, point IV, add comma to "So as" and add
"1 Pet. i. 4" reference. "Christ Crucified" note, point IV, remove
comma from "punishments, and."

- Page 118, same lesson, "Glorying in the Cross" note, point III 1,
apply RC to "Divine character." Point III 5, apply RC to "the
Gospel."

- Page 119, same lesson, "True Religion" note, point II 2, apply RC
to "Divine work." "New Creature" note, add comma to "therefore
the." Lesson "Dignified," point I, the Transcriber removed an
opening double quotes from "Peace is followed by mercy" because
there was neither a closing quotation mark nor an obvious
indication where a quotation ended.

- Page 120, same lesson, point II, apply RC to "His Gospel."
Application ("Lessons"), point 2, apply RC to "Divine blessing."
"True Israel" note, point III, apply RC to "Divine benedictions."

* * * * * * * *

+THE+

+EPISTLE TO THE EPHESIANS.+

+INTRODUCTION.+

+Readers to whom the epistle was sent.+--In the two most ancient copies of the Scriptures which we possess--dating from the fourth century of our era--the words in our A.V. (ch. i. 1), _"at Ephesus,"_ are missing; and Basil the Great, who lived in the fourth century, says he had seen copies which, "ancient" even at that early date, spoke of the readers as _"those who are, and the faithful in Christ Jesus."_ When it is observed, however, that Basil still says in that passage the apostle is _"writing to the Ephesians,"_ in all honesty we must admit another interpretation of his words to be possible.

Add to these early witnesses that Ephesus is not named in the text the further fact that, though St. Paul had lived and laboured between two and three years in Ephesus, there is absolutely no mention of any name of those with whom he had been associated, and what on the assumption of the Ephesian destination of the epistle is stranger still, no reference to the work, unless we may be allowed to regard the "sealing with the Holy Spirit of promise" as a reminiscence of Acts xix. 1-7.

We must not make too much, however, of this absence of personal greetings. Tychicus can do, _vivâ voce,_ all that needs to be done in that way. St. Paul had been "received as an angel of God, or even as Christ Jesus," by Galatians, not one of whom is mentioned in the letter sent to the Galatians.

Certain expressions in the body of the letter are strange if the Ephesian Christians were the first readers of it. In ch. i. 15 the apostle says, "After I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus." One asks, "Did not the faith which 'cometh by hearing' result from Paul's preaching in Ephesus? Then how can he speak of hearing of it?" It may be answered, "Does not Paul say to Philemon, 'Thou owest unto me thine own self' (ver. 19), and yet says (ver. 5) that, _hearing_ of his love and faith, he thanks God?" Moreover, has any one quite demonstrated the impossibility of this faith being the continuity of that which began with the abjuration of magic in a costly offering of fifty thousand pieces of silver? (Acts xix. 17-20). "Faith" may take the form of fidelity as easily as of credence.