I. What was the preaching referred to in the text? The word might fairly be rendered "the truth preached," for St. Paul is not thinking of the action and process of announcement, but of the message announced. In his eyes mere discourse or oratory, irrespective of the claims of the subject on which it was employed, would have had no charm or dignity whatever. The world was saved by the substance of a message from heaven, not by the human words that conveyed it. Now, one leading characteristic of the apostolical preaching which gave it its saving power was its positive and definite character. Resting on solid evidence, planting its feet firmly on the soil of earth, and in the full daylight of human history, the Christian creed raised its head to heaven, unveiled to the believer the inner being of God, displayed the manner in which when God the Son took our nature upon Him a bridge was really constructed between earth and heaven, and even discovered to us the inmost heart of the All Merciful in the true meaning and value of the Sacrifice which was offered on Calvary for the sins of the whole world. From that fountain opened for sin and for uncleanness flow all the hopes of pardon, all the reinforcements of grace, all the power of sacraments, by which the work of the Redeemer is carried forward in the sphere of sense and time, in preparation for the momentous, the endless future.
II. Of this preaching, what was the object? St. Paul answers, "To save them that believe." When the Apostle speaks of salvation, he means a salvation of the individual human soul from ruin, ruin begun here and rendered beyond the grave permanent and irretrievable, salvation from eternal death. And the preaching of the apostles presented Christ to men, in St. Paul's phrase, as evidently set forth crucified among them, as their Saviour, as their all-sufficient Saviour, able to save to the utmost those that come unto God by Him.
III. Who are capable of receiving this salvation? "Them that believe." As a matter of fact, then, the recipients of salvation are a limited class. Belief is, in its essence, the act by which the soul accepts salvation. This belief is a movement of the whole soul, of all its powers going forth to meet the appointed truth; it is thought, it is affection, it is trust, it is self-surrender, face to face with the unseen, but clearly apprehended, Christ. Faith does not, cannot of itself, save; but faith is the hand which we hold out to receive the salvation which is wrought for us, and which we must thus receive in this our hand in order to make it our own.
H. P. Liddon, Family Churchman,July 28th, 1886.
References: 1 Corinthians 1:21. J. Hunter, Story of Daniel,p. 39; J. B. Brown, Christian World Pulpit,vol. xviii., p. 200. 1 Corinthians 1:21-23. T. Arnold, Sermons,vol. iv., p. 47; H. Allon, Sermons in Union Chapel, Islington,p. 40; Homilist,vol. ii., p. 1. 1 Corinthians 1:22. J. B. Brown, Christian World Pulpit,vol. xxxii., p. 225. 1 Corinthians 1:22-24. Magee, The Gospel and the Age,p. 1; Beecher, Sermons,1870, p. 261; R. Lorimer, Bible Studies in Life and Truth,p. 45; Preacher's Monthly,vol. iv., p. 539. 1 Corinthians 1:22-25. Homilist,vol. ii., p. 339. 1 Corinthians 1:23. J. M. Neale, Sermons for the Christian Year,vol. ii., p. 119; T. R. Stevenson, Christian World Pulpit,vol. xviii., p. 246. 1 Corinthians 1:23; 1 Corinthians 1:24. Spurgeon, Sermons,vol. i., Nos. 7, 8; H. W. Beecher, Christian World Pulpit,vol. xiii., p. 92; Ibid.,vol. xviii., p. 340; W. Cunningham, Sermons,pp. 120,134; F. W. Robertson, Lectures on Corinthians,p. 83; W. J. Knox-Little, The Mystery of the Passion,p. 85; J. Oswald Dykes, Sermons,p. 34; Bishop Stubbs, The Anglican Pulpit of Today,p. 49. 1 Corinthians 1:23-25. C. Kingsley, Town and Country Sermons,p. 408. 1 Corinthians 1:23-30. Christian World Pulpit,vol. xxv., p. 406. 1 Corinthians 1:24. Spurgeon, Sermons,vol. iii., No. 132; Preacher's Monthly,vol. ix., p. 186; Clergyman's Magazine,vol. iv., p. 85; J. Irons, Thursday Penny Pulpit,vol. xv., p. 377. 1 Corinthians 1:26. H. Phillips, Christian World Pulpit,vol. ii., p. 358; Saturday Evening,p. 247. 1 Corinthians 1:26-29. Spurgeon, Sermons,vol. x., No. 587. 1 Corinthians 1:26-31. A. J. Parry, Phases of Truth,p. 133. 1 Corinthians 1:27. H. W. Beecher, Christian World Pulpit,vol. ii., p. 25; Preacher's Monthly,vol. ix., p. 165. 1 Corinthians 1:28-31. Christian World Pulpit,vol. ii., p. 377.