But if we be wise parents--such parents to our children as St Paul was to
his spiritual children, the Corinthians--we shall do by them just what St
Paul did by these Corinthians. Before he says one harsh word to them, he
will awaken in them faith and love. He will make them trust him and love
him, all the more because he knows that through false teaching they do
not trust and love him as they used to do. But till they do, he knows
that there is no use in rebuking them. Till they trust him and love him,
they will not listen to him. And how does he try to bring them round to
him? By praising them:--by telling them that he trusts them and loves
them, because in spite of all their faults there is something in them
worthy to be loved and trusted. He begins by giving them credit for
whatever good there is in them. They are rich in all utterance and all
knowledge; that is, they are very brilliant and eloquent talkers about
spiritual things, and also very deep and subtle thinkers about spiritual
things. So far so good. These are great gifts--gifts of Christ, too,--
tokens that God's spirit is with them, and that all they need is to be
true to His gracious inspirations.
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