1._And I, brethren _He begins to apply to the Corinthians themselves, that he had said respecting carnal persons, that they may understand that the fault was their own — that the doctrine of the Cross had not more charms for them. It is probable, that in mercantile minds like theirs there was too mu... [ Continue Reading ]
2._I have fed you with milk _Here it is asked, whether Paul transformed Christ to suit the diversity of his hearers. I answer, that this refers to the manner and form of his instructions, rather than to the substance of the doctrine. For Christ is at once _milk to babes_, and _strong meat to those t... [ Continue Reading ]
3._For ye are as yet carnal _So long as the flesh, that is to say, natural corruption, prevails in a man, it has so completely possession of the man’s mind, that the wisdom of God finds no admittance. Hence, if we would make proficiency in the Lord’s school, we must first of all renounce our own jud... [ Continue Reading ]
4._For while one saith _He now specifies the particular kind of contentions, (152) and he does this by personating the Corinthians, that his description may have more force — that each one gloried in his particular master, as though _Christ _were not _the one Master of all _(Matthew 23:8.) Now, wher... [ Continue Reading ]
5._Who then is Paul _? Here he begins to treat of the estimation in which ministers ought to be held, and the purpose for which they have been set apart by the Lord. He names himself and Apollos rather than others, that he may avoid any appearance of envy. (156) “What else,” says he, “are all minist... [ Continue Reading ]
6._I have planted, Apollos watered _He unfolds more clearly the nature of that ministry by a similitude, in which the nature of the word and the use of preaching are most appropriately depicted. That the earth may bring forth fruit, there is need of ploughing and sowing, and other means of culture;... [ Continue Reading ]
7._Neither is he that planteth anything _It appears, nevertheless, from what has been already said, that their labor is of some importance. We must observe, therefore, why it is that Paul thus depreciates it; and first of all, it is proper to notice that he is accustomed to speak in two different wa... [ Continue Reading ]
8._He that planteth, and he that watereth are one _He shows farther, from another consideration, that the Corinthians are greatly to blame in abusing, with a view to maintain their own sects and parties, the names of their teachers, who in the meantime are, with united efforts, aiming at one and the... [ Continue Reading ]
9._For we are fellow-laborers with God. _Here is the best argument. It is the Lord’s work that we are employed in, and it is to him that we have devoted our labors: hence, as he is faithful and just, he will not disappoint us of our reward. That man, accordingly, is mistaken who looks to men, or dep... [ Continue Reading ]
10._As a wise master-builder _It is a most apt similitude, and accordingly it is frequently met with in the Scriptures, as we shall see ere long. Here, however, the Apostle declares his fidelity with great confidence and fearlessness, as it required to be asserted in opposition not merely to the cal... [ Continue Reading ]
11._For other foundation can no man lay _This statement consists of two parts; _first_, that Christ is the only foundation of the Church; and _secondly_, that the Corinthians had been rightly founded upon Christ through Paul’s preaching. For it was necessary that they should be brought back to Chris... [ Continue Reading ]
12._Now if any man build upon this foundation _He pursues still farther the metaphor. It would not have been enough to have laid the foundation if the entire superstructure did not correspond; for as it were an absurd thing to raise a structure of vile materials on a foundation of gold, so it were g... [ Continue Reading ]
13._For the day will declare it _In the old translation it is _the day of the Lord_, (179) but it is probable that the words _of the Lord _were added by some one by way of explanation. The meaning unquestionably is complete without that addition. For with propriety we give the name of _day _to the t... [ Continue Reading ]
14._If any man’s work remains, he will receive a reward. _His meaning is, that those are fools who depend on man’s estimation, so as to reckon it enough to be approved by men, for _then only _will the work have praise and recompense — when it has stood the test of the _day of the Lord _Hence he exho... [ Continue Reading ]
15._If any man’s work shall be burned. _It is as though he had said: Let no man flatter himself on the ground that, in the opinion of men, he is reckoned among the most eminent _master-builders_, for as soon as the day breaks in, his whole work must go utterly to nothing, if it is not approved of by... [ Continue Reading ]
16._Know ye not_, _etc. _Having admonished the teachers as to their duty, he now addresses himself to the pupils — that they, too, may take heed to themselves. To the teachers he had said, “You are the master-builders of the house of God.” He now says to the people, “You are _the temples of God. _It... [ Continue Reading ]
17._If any man corrupts the temple of God. _He subjoins a dreadful threatening — that, as the _temple of God _ought to be inviolably sacred, that man, whoever he may be, that corrupts it, will not pass with impunity. The kind of profanation of which he now speaks, is, when men intrude themselves, so... [ Continue Reading ]
18._Let no man deceive himself _Here he puts his finger upon the true sore, as the whole mischief originated in this — that they were wise in their own conceit. Hence he exhorts them not to deceive themselves with a false impression, by arrogating any wisdom to themselves — by which he means, that a... [ Continue Reading ]
19._For the wisdom of this world _This is an argument taken from things opposite. To maintain the one is to overturn the other. As, therefore, _the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God_, it follows that we cannot be wise in the sight of God, unless we are fools in the view of the world. We h... [ Continue Reading ]
21._Therefore let no man glory in men _As there is nothing that is more _vain _than man, how little security there is in leaning upon an evanescent shadow! Hence he infers with propriety from the preceding statement, that we must not _glory in men_, inasmuch as the Lord thus takes away from mankind... [ Continue Reading ]
22._All things are yours. _He proceeds to show what place and station teachers should occupy (201) — such as not to detract in any degree from the authority of Christ, the one Master. As therefore Christ is the Church’s sole master, and as he alone without exception is worthy to be listened to, it i... [ Continue Reading ]
23._Christ is God’s _This subjection relates to Christ’s humanity, for by taking upon him our flesh, he assumed “the form” and condition “of a servant,” that he might make himself obedient to his Father in all things. (Philippians 2:7.) And assuredly, that we may cleave to God through him, it is nec... [ Continue Reading ]