3. Untiring activity.—He had the goal ever in his eye; he often measured the distance between him and the goal; he stretched every nerve to reach the goal. (1) Do we resemble Paul in his aim? (2) Do we resemble Paul in his efforts?—G. Brooks.
Aim High—
- In pursuit of moral excellence.
- Intellectual character.
- Active usefulness.
Lessons.—1. God Himself has commanded it. 2. Society expects it of you. 3. The age in which you live demands it.—E. D. Griffin.
Vers. 15, 16. The Temper to be cultivated by Christians of Different Denominations toward each other.
I. Those who adhere to this rule.—1. Seek and cultivate their society. 2. Use means to promote the mutual improvement of these persons and of ourselves. 3. Do all we can to render our mutual reciprocal union more perfect and our usefulness more extensive.
II. Those who differ from us in matters of great importance.—1. Give consideration to the way in which their religious characters have been formed. 2. Pay regard to the difficulties and misapprehensions which lie in the use of words. 3. Reflect what would probably have been the effects upon our minds had we been placed in their circumstances. 4. Act towards them with justice and kindness.
III. Those who differ from us in matters of smaller moment.—1. Show them sincere and honest respect and kindness. 2. Cultivate friendly intercourse with them as far as they are disposed to reciprocate such intercourse. 3. Show that we esteem the essential principle of the Gospel more than controversial preciseness and ecclesiastical form.—J. P. Smith.
MAIN HOMILETICS OF THE PARAGRAPH.—Verses 17–19.
Good and Bad Examples.