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In these and preceding verses we have the grand characteristics of apostolic life. —

1. Their difficulties and dangers.

2. The methods of their ministry.

3. The seeming contradictions that made up their life. Examining these in order, notice —

I. CONSPICUOUSNESS IN OBSCURITY.

1. God's people are "hidden ones." "The world knoweth us not, because it knew Him not." What conies within the range of the senses the world can understand; but what is only spiritually discerned the world cannot know.

2. But these hidden ones occupy a most prominent position before God, and all spiritual intelligences. "The eyes of the Lord are over the righteous." The entirety of their inner and outer life is well known in heaven. Their names are registered in the Book of Life.

II. LIFE IN DEATH.

1. The life of the old man dies by the painful, lingering process of crucifixion.

2. A new Divine life is planted in the soul which develops in proportion as the old man is crucified.

III. SAFETY IN AFFLICTIVE PROVIDENCES.

1. The primal spring of the chastisement of a child of God is parental love (Hebrews 13.). Without it, we should be condemned with the world; the dross of our many sins and corruptions would remain, and should not be wrought for us. We should fail to be conformed to the Lord Jesus, who was made perfect through sufferings.

2. But observe the safety guaranteed. "Not killed." That is impossible, for omnipotence upholds them (Romans 8:35-39).

IV. JOY IN SORROW.

1. The sources of a believer's sorrows.

(1) In his heart and life there is much to cause depression, much that grieves the Holy Spirit.

(2) In his circumstances.

2. But he can look beyond all these to the counterbalancing joy. "The joy of the Lord is his strength."

V. MUNIFICENCE IN POVERTY.

1. God's people are often poor as to this world. "God hath chosen the poor rich in faith." Christ Himself was a poor man. But apart altogether from external circumstances, God's people are, and feel themselves to be, spiritually poor. In the fall man lost everything.

2. But a rich connection has been formed on the part of God's chosen ones with the Lord of all, who has "unsearchable riches." Hence it follows that he who is poor can "make many rich." A true saint, who has nothing in himself, but all things in Christ, is the greatest benefactor of his race.

VI. BOUNDLESS POSSESSIONS IN UTTER DESTITUTION.

(P. Morrison.)

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KJV: As unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and, behold, we live; as chastened, and not killed;

WEB: as unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and behold, we live; as punished, and not killed;