---

In the Church at Corinth there was a variety of elements; the Roman democratic — independent in thought and action; the Greek — cultured, philosophic, and aesthetic; the Jewish — craving for signs and wonders. Here consequently there was diversity of thought, and discussions which would lead to divisions. The Corinthian Christians, therefore, instead of being united by having Christ as the supreme object of thought and love, were divided by certain forms of religious thought. No two men will have exactly the same views on the same subject. Paul would not give out the same views in the same way as Apollos or Peter, and their auditors would therefore have their preferences. Herein we have the philosophy of existence of various Churches. Note —

I. THE NATURE OF CHURCHISM. The Corinthians who said, "I am of Paul," "I am of Apollos," had such an exaggerated estimate of their particular favourites as led them to depreciate the merits of the others. To the Paulites there was no teacher equal to him, &c. This I call Churchism. To become members of institutions called Churches, and advocate the peculiar views they represent, may be right and useful. It affords opportunities for mutual counselling and spiritual stimulation. But when our communion becomes the centre and circumference of our souls it is sectarianism. One says, I am of the Catholic Church; another, I am of the Greek; another, I am of the English, &c. There is only one true Church, and that is composed of those only who have a vital and practical faith in Christ Himself. "I determined," says Paul, "to know nothing amongst men save Jesus Christ and Him crucified."

II. THE DEPRAVITY OF CHURCHISM. "Are ye not carnal?" This bodily part of man's being possesses desires, tendencies, and appetites, which our corrupt imaginations nurture and inspire with sinful propensities. Hence to this Paul seems to trace nearly all immoral conduct (ver. 3). That man is carnal who allows his mind to be engrossed —

1. In the human rather than in the Divine. The walk of the spiritual man is with God, he sees Him who is invisible; the "carnal" man lives in the human, never rises above the cloudy atmosphere of human opinions. How some men are chained to their little sects! With them it is all "our Church," "our body," "our principles." Instead of climbing up the breezy heights of Divine ideas, they live down in sectarian glens, breathing the fog of human crotchets, and with souls half suffocated, they exclaim, "I am a Churchman," "I am a Nonconformist," &c.

2. In the selfish rather than in the benevolent. The spiritual man lives not to himself, but to God, and for others; to the "carnal" man self is the object of his supreme interest and aim. Churchism often cuts the soul away from all but the members of its own little community.

3. In the transitory rather than the permanent? The spiritual man labours not supremely for the bread which perishes, but is ever more in quest of eternal life or eternal goodness. Not so the "carnal" man, he is ever in pursuit of temporary pleasures, possessions. Now Churchism lives in the temporary. "Our little systems have their day, they have their day and pass away." Human thoughts, even the best of them, are only as the "grass that withereth," God's thoughts alone endure, the "word of the Lord shall stand for ever."

(D. Thomas, D. D.)

---

---

KJV: For while one saith, I am of Paul; and another, I am of Apollos; are ye not carnal?

WEB: For when one says, "I follow Paul," and another, "I follow Apollos," aren't you fleshly?