The Severe and Social Virtues (for St. Philip and St. James's Day).
I. St. James, surnamed the Just, was remarkable for the severities of a mortified life, and a meek and austere sanctity, so that the violent death to which he was put by the Jews was looked upon even by their own countrymen as bringing down the Divine judgment on their nation. His Epistle is best understood when we bear this in mind. Hence its memorable precepts of the blessedness of patience, of wisdom sought from above, of faith and prayer; hence its sententious short proverbs of heavenly-minded wisdom, and the sayings of a man of God, interspersed with that sweetness which is ever found with self-sacrificing devotion. St. Philip, on the other hand, seems rather an example of social and brotherly charities, easy of access to all, seeking and sought for in Christian friendship; as when he goes to Nathanael, with St. Andrew, and when the Greeks, who would see Jesus at the last Passover, come to him. Great as is the blessing of such a temper both to itself and to others, yet its deficiency is apt to be in this, that it less realises those spiritual mysteries of God which are disclosed to the heart in secrecy and solitude of spirit. Hence that complaint in our Lord's words in the Gospel for today, "Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known Me, Philip?"
II. Nevertheless it must be observed, that Christian grace so harmonises and fills the character, that such personal diversities are not to be pressed too far. St. James the Less was greatly beloved of all Christians for his singular meekness; and no doubt St. Philip, in the practices of mortification, came to understand the secrets of Divine wisdom; yet, nevertheless, under the same spirit some such diversities and differences of character do remain; and in the words of the text, "Every one hath his proper gift of God; one after this manner, and another after that."
I. Williams, The Epistles and Gospels,vol. ii., p. 373.
References: 1 Corinthians 7:10. R. S. Candlish, Scripture Characters and Miscellanies,p. 156. 1 Corinthians 7:10-24. F. W. Robertson, Lectures onCorinthians,p. 103. 1 Corinthians 7:14. Expositor,1st series, vol. x., p. 321. 1 Corinthians 7:16. Preacher's Monthly,vol. ix., p. 173. 1 Corinthians 7:17. J. Irons, Thursday Penny Pulpit,vol. xi., p. 53. 1 Corinthians 7:18-24. F. W. Robertson, Sermons,3rd series, p. 156.