1 Corinthians 14:26-40 How is it then, brothers? when you come together, every one of you has a psalm, has a doctrine, has a tongue, has a revelation… I. THE EDIFICATION OF OTHERS IS A DUTY TO WHICH ALL CHRISTIANS ARE OBLIGED. And this will appear — 1. From its being so much insisted on in Scripture (1 Thessalonians 5:11; Romans 14:19; Romans 15:2). And what he so much recommends Paul eminently exemplifies. 2. From the relation that all Christians have to Christ as to their common Lord and Head. Whenever they pray that His kingdom may come, they hereby declare that they desire to see the enlargement of Christ's kingdom. And how is this consistent with being indifferent and unconcerned about the edification of others? Building is not more properly the business and employment of the professed builder than it is that of the Christian in all things to profit and edify his neighbour. 3. From the relation men have to one another, as being jointly members of the mystical body of Christ. We are not only members of Christ's body, but members also one of another. And it is the great law of the gospel that, as such, we have love one towards another. Now unless that charity can be esteemed perfect which extends to men's bodies and not to their souls, we must look on ourselves as obliged as to a very considerable branch of Christian charity to study to edify one another. And therefore Paul makes it a mark of charity that it "edifieth." II. THAT ESPECIAL MANNER WHEREIN THE MINISTERS OF CHRIST IN PARTICULAR ARE OBLIGED TO FORWARD THIS GOOD WORK. The edifying the Church is the particular business for which they are set apart, and therefore every part of their conduct should have a particular tendency to this very thing. 1. In their public instructions. Instructing the ignorant is but one part of the preacher's business. To remind those that are careless and to induce those who are not so ignorant as some others to consideration is as much his business as the other, and is every whit as necessary. And if men are edified either way, then is preaching a proper means of edification. 2. When they are officiating in holy things. They whose duty it is to join with us in prayer will be differently affected according as they observe the several parts of Divine service to be performed negligently and perfunctorily, or with fitting care and decency. In the latter case they who bring proper sentiments to the house of God will feel their good dispositions cherished and encouraged, and will be apt to relish devotion more, and to find greater delight and satisfaction in such religious exercises. And as for those who are thoughtless, the decent and devotional deportment of those who officiate will be a powerful, though secret, check to their want of attention and levity, and will be the most likely way to awaken them from their heedlessness and indolence. 3. In the exemplariness of their lives. Concerning Christ, has observed that "He did not only point out to us the true way, but went Himself before us in it, and this He did that no one on account of the difficulty should be afraid of venturing into the ways of virtue." It is a secret objection men are apt to make within themselves against the doctrine of the gospel that it is a rule of too great perfection to be practised, and this objection cannot be more effectually removed than when the preachers of it are themselves examples of what they teach. III. BY WAY OF MOTIVE TO THIS WORK, NOTE THE FOLLOWING ARGUMENTS. 1. The excellence of this work. It is doing our best towards restoring man to the image of his Maker; it is putting him into a state of liberty, and delivering him from the servitude of sin, and fitting him for God's favour and rewards. And what a great honour is it to mortal man! 2. The great charity of this work, inasmuch as it consists in converting sinners from the error of their ways, it is saving of souls from death. 3. The great necessity that we in particular of the clergy are under of having this good work very much at heart (1 Corinthians 9:16). 4. The exceeding great reward that attends it (Daniel 12:3). 5. The unspeakable comfort and God-like joy which must be felt even in this life by those who have been successful. It is the only thing we know of that even in heaven itself can make new joy. IV. THE WISE PROVISION MADE BY OUR CHURCH FOR THE EDIFICATION OF ITS MEMBERS. 1. The service in the vulgar tongue is certainly much better fitted to inspire those who are present with sentiments of piety and devotion than when it is in a language which they that hear it do not understand. 2. Our liturgy is in all its parts edifying. 3. It is certainly more for edification that the business of public instruction should be in the hands of persons who by their education have been qualified for this thing, and who have been approved and sent forth by the governors of the Church, than that so important a business should be left to every one's caprice who should take it into his head that he is qualified for this office. 4. That judicious choice which our Church has made in retaining some ceremonies avid abolishing others is another thing in which our constitution is well fitted to edifying. (Dean Claggett.) Parallel Verses KJV: How is it then, brethren? when ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying. |
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