1._Now concerning spiritual things. _He goes on to correct another fault. As the Corinthians abused the gifts of God for ostentation and show, and love was little, if at all, regarded, he shows them for what purpose believers are adorned by God with spiritual gifts — for the edification of their bre... [ Continue Reading ]
3._Wherefore I give you to know. _Having admonished them from their own experience, he sets before them a general doctrine, which he deduces from it; for what the Corinthians had experienced in themselves is common to all mankind — to wander on in error, (729) previously to their being brought back,... [ Continue Reading ]
4._Now there are diversities of gifts _The symmetry of the Church (730) consists, so to speak, of a manifold unity, (731) that is, when the variety of gifts is directed to the same object, as in music there are different sounds, but suited to each other with such an adaptation, as to produce concord... [ Continue Reading ]
6._One God that worketh. _Where we use the word _powers _the Greek term is ἐνεργήματα _, _a term which contains an allusion to the verb _worketh, _as in Latin _effectus _ (an effect) corresponds with the verb _effectus _ (to effect.) Paul’s meaning is, that although believers may be endowed with dif... [ Continue Reading ]
7._But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man _He now points out the purpose for which God has appointed his gifts, for he does not confer them upon us in vain, nor does he intend that they shall serve the purpose of ostentation. Hence we must inquire as to the purpose for which they... [ Continue Reading ]
8._To one is given _He now subjoins an enumeration, or, in other words, specifies particular kinds — not indeed all of them, but such as are sufficient for his present purpose. _“Believers,” _says he, _“are _endowed with different gifts, but let every one _acknowledge, _that he is indebted for whate... [ Continue Reading ]
11._One and the same spirit distributing. _Hence it follows that those act amiss who, having no concern as to participation, break asunder that holy harmony, that is fitly adjusted in all its parts, only when under the guidance of the same Spirit, all conspire toward one and the same object. He agai... [ Continue Reading ]
12._For as the body is one _He now derives a similitude from the human body, which he makes use of also in Romans 12:4; but it is for a different purpose, as I have already stated above. In that passage, he exhorts every one to be satisfied with his own calling, and not to invade another’s territory... [ Continue Reading ]
13._For we are all baptized by one Spirit. _Here there is a proof brought forward from the effect of baptism. _“We _are,” says he, _“engrafted _by baptism into Christ’s body, so that we are by a mutual link bound together as members, and live one and the same life. Hence every one, that would remain... [ Continue Reading ]
15.This is a bringing out still farther _( _ ἐπεξεργασία _) _of the preceding statement, or in other words, an exposition of it, with some amplification, with the view of placing in a clearer light, what he had previously stated in a few words. Now all this accords with the apologue of Menenius Agri... [ Continue Reading ]
17._If the whole body were an eye _He sets aside a foolish aiming at equality, by showing the impossibility of it. “If all the members,” says he, “desire the honor that belongs to the _eye, _the consequence will be, that the whole body will perish; for it is impossible that the body should remain sa... [ Continue Reading ]
18._But now God hath placed. _Here we have another argument, taken from the appointment of God. “It has pleased God, that the body should consist of various members, and that the members should be endowed with various offices and gifts. That member, therefore, which will not rest satisfied with its... [ Continue Reading ]
19._If all were one member _He means, that God has not acted at random, or without good reason, in assigning different gifts to the members of the body; but because it was necessary that it should be so, for the preservation of the body; for if this symmetry were taken away, there would be utter con... [ Continue Reading ]
20._Many members _—_one body _He repeats this the oftener, because the stress of the whole question lies here — that the unity of the body is of such a nature as cannot be maintained but by a diversity of members; and that, while the members differ from each other in offices and functions, it is in... [ Continue Reading ]
21._And the eye cannot say to the hand _Hitherto he has been showing, what is the office of the less honorable members — to discharge their duty to the body, and not envy the more distinguished members. _Now, _on the other hand, he enjoins it upon the more honorable members, not to despise the infer... [ Continue Reading ]
23._Which are less honorable. _Here we have a _second _argument — that the dishonor of one member turns out to the common disgrace of the whole body, as appears from the care that we take to cover the parts that are _less honorable. “Those _parts that are _comely,” _says he, _“do _not require advent... [ Continue Reading ]
24._But God hath tempered the body together _He again repeats, what he had stated once before, (1 Corinthians 12:18,) but more explicitly, — that God has appointed this symmetry, and that with a view to the advantage of the whole body, because it cannot otherwise maintain its standing. “For whence c... [ Continue Reading ]
26._Whether one member suffers _“Such a measure of _fellow-feeling.” ( _ συμπάθεια _,) _(761) says he, “is to be seen in the human body, that, if any inconvenience is felt by any member, all the others grieve along with it, and, on the other hand, rejoice along with it, in its prosperity. Hence ther... [ Continue Reading ]
27._But ye are the body of Christ _Hence what has been said respecting the nature and condition of the human body must be applied to us; for we are not a mere civil society, but, being ingrafted into Christ’s body, are truly members one of another. Whatever, therefore, any one of us has, let him kno... [ Continue Reading ]
He has in the beginning of the chapter spoken of _gifts: _now he begins to treat of _offices, _and this order it is proper that we should carefully observe. For the Lord did not appoint ministers, without first endowing them with the requisite gifts, and qualifying them for discharging their duty. H... [ Continue Reading ]
29._Are all Apostles _? It may indeed have happened, that one individual was endowed with many gifts, and sustained two of the offices which he has enumerated; nor was there in this any inconsistency. Paul’s object, however, is to show in the first place, that no one has such a fullness in everythin... [ Continue Reading ]
31._Seek after the more excellent gifts. _It might also be rendered — _Value highly_; and it would not suit in with the passage, though it makes little difference as to the meaning; for Paul exhorts the Corinthians to esteem and desire those gifts especially, which are most conducive to edification.... [ Continue Reading ]