3. The preacher must practise neither adulation nor deception.—“For neither at any time used we flattering words, as ye know, nor a cloke of covetousness, God is witness” (ver. 5). “Flattery,” says Plutarch, “has been the ruin of many states.” But alas! who can tell the souls it has for ever undone? Truth is too sedate and solid to indulge in meaningless flattery. It is only the vain and self-conceited who can be deceived by adulation.
III. Sincerity in aim.—“Nor of men sought we glory, neither of you, nor yet of others, when we might have been burdensome as the apostles of Christ” (ver. 6). The sincere aim of the apostles was seen:—
1. In the generous suppression of the authority with which they were invested.—“When we might have been burdensome as the apostles of Christ.” Whether we understand this authority as exercised in foregoing for the time being their legitimate claim of maintenance by the Church, or as restraining the exhibition of the dignity and power of their apostleship—which latter view is generally admitted to be the true exegesis—it was equally honourable to the pure and disinterested character of their highest aim.
2. In the absence of all selfish ambition.—“Nor of men sought we glory.” They could conscientiously aver, “We seek not yours, but you.” “I love a serious preacher,” says Fénélon, “who speaks for my sake and not for his own; who seeks my salvation and not his own glory.” It is said of one of the ancient fathers that he wept at the applause frequently given to his discourses. “Would to God,” said he, “they had rather gone away silent and thoughtful!” It is a sorry and painfully disappointing end to preach for mere ephemeral human praise. Such a man may sink into the grave with the touching lament of Grotius, “Alas! I have lost my life in doing nothing with great labour!”—though in his case it was an unduly despondent estimate of his life-work. When Christ is to be exalted, the preacher must be willing to be unnoticed.
Lessons.—1. Sincerity in proclaiming the truth can be acquired only by personal experience of its power. 2. Sincerity is deepened by a conscious Divine commission. 3. Sincerity is unmistakably evidenced in word and deed. 4. Sincerity is satisfied only in aiming at the highest results in preaching.
GERM NOTES ON THE VERSES.
Vers. 3–6. Apostolic Preaching characterised by Transparent Truth.
I. The doctrine was opposed to every form of impurity (ver. 3).—1. It was itself pure. 2. It received no tinge of impurity from the apostle’s mind. 3. Its results were pure.
II. The preaching was free from insincerity and selfishness (ver. 4).—1. They avoided flattery. Love of favour (ver. 5). 2. They avoided covetousness. Aggrandisement (ver. 5). 3. They avoided vainglory. Love of applause (ver. 6). Three rocks on which thousands have been shipwrecked.—Stewart.
MAIN HOMILETICS OF THE PARAGRAPH.—Verses 7, 8.