1._Let a man so account of us _As it was a matter of no little importance to see the Church in this manner torn by corrupt factions, from the likings or dislikings that were entertained towards individuals, he enters into a still more lengthened discussion as to the ministry of the word. Here there... [ Continue Reading ]
2._But it is required in ministers _(211) It is as though he had said, it is not enough to be a _steward _if there be not an upright stewardship. Now the rule of an upright stewardship, is to conduct one’s self in it with fidelity. It is a passage that ought to be carefully observed, for we see how... [ Continue Reading ]
3._But with me it is a very small thing _It remained that he should bring before their view his _faithfulness_, that the Corinthians might judge of him from this, but, as their judgment was corrupted, he throws it aside and appeals to the judgment-seat of Christ. The Corinthians erred in this, that... [ Continue Reading ]
4._I am not conscious to myself of anything faulty. _Let us observe that Paul speaks here not of his whole life, but simply of the office of apostleship. For if he had been altogether unconscious to himself of anything wrong, (222) that would have been a groundless complaint which he makes in Romans... [ Continue Reading ]
5._Therefore judge nothing before the time _From this conclusion it is manifest, that Paul did not mean to reprove every kind of judgment without exception, but only what is hasty and rash, without examination of the case. For the Corinthians did not mark with unjaundiced eye the character of each i... [ Continue Reading ]
6._I have in a figure transferred. _Hence we may infer, that it was not those who were attached to Paul that gave rise to parties, as _they_, assuredly, had not. been so instructed, but those who had through ambition given themselves up to vain teachers. (225) But as he could more freely and less in... [ Continue Reading ]
7._For who distinguisheth thee? _The meaning is — “Let that man come forward, whosoever he be, that is desirous of distinction, and troubles the Church by his ambition. I will demand of him who it is that makes him superior to others? That is, who it is that has conferred upon him the privilege of b... [ Continue Reading ]
8._Now ye are full _Having in good earnest, and without the use of any figure, beat down their vain confidence, he now also ridicules it by way of irony, (230) because they are so self-complacent, as if they were the happiest persons in the world. He proceeds, too, step by step, in exposing their in... [ Continue Reading ]
9._For I think_, etc. It is uncertain whether he speaks of himself exclusively, or takes in at the same time Apollos and Silvanus, for he sometimes calls such persons apostles. I prefer, however, to understand it of himself exclusively. Should any one be inclined to extend it farther, I shall have n... [ Continue Reading ]
10._We are fools for Christ’s sake _This contrast is throughout ironical, and exceedingly pointed, it being unseemly and absurd that the Corinthians should be in every respect happy and honorable, according to the flesh, while in the meantime they beheld their master and father afflicted with the lo... [ Continue Reading ]
11._For to this hour. _The Apostle here describes his condition, as if in a picture, that the Corinthians may learn, from his example, to lay aside that loftiness of spirit, and embrace, as he did, the cross of Christ with meekness of spirit. He discovers the utmost dexterity in this respect, that i... [ Continue Reading ]
12.When he says that _while persecuted he suffers it, _and that he _prays _for his _revilers_, he intimates that he is not merely afflicted and abased by God, by means of the cross, but is also endowed with a disposition to abase himself willingly. In this, perhaps, he gives a stroke to the false ap... [ Continue Reading ]
13._As the execrations of the world. _He makes use of two terms, the former of which denotes a man who, by public _execrations_, is devoted, with the view to the cleansing of a city, (244) for such persons, on the ground of their cleansing the rest of the people, by receiving in themselves whatever... [ Continue Reading ]
14._I write not these things to shame you _As the foregoing instances of irony were very pointed, so that they might exasperate the minds of the Corinthians, he now obviates that dissatisfaction by declaring, that he had not said these things with a view to cover them with shame, but rather to admon... [ Continue Reading ]
15._For though you had ten thousand. _He had called himself _father_, and now he shows that this title belongs to him peculiarly and specially, inasmuch as he alone has _begotten them in Christ. _In this comparison, however, he has an eye to the false apostles to whom the Corinthians showed all defe... [ Continue Reading ]
16._I exhort you. _He now expresses also, in his own words, what he requires from them in his fatherly admonition — that, being his sons, they do not degenerate from their father. For what is more reasonable than that sons endeavor to be as like as possible to their father. (262) At the same time he... [ Continue Reading ]
17._For this cause. _The meaning is: “That you may know what my manner of life is, and whether I am worthy to be imitated, listen to what Timothy has to say, who will be prepared to be a faithful witness of these things. Now as there are two things that secure credit to a man’s testimony — a knowled... [ Continue Reading ]
18._As though I would not come to you _This is the custom of the false apostles — to take advantage of the absence of the good, that they may triumph and vaunt without any hindrance. Paul, accordingly, with the view of reproving their ill-regulated conscience, and repressing their insolence, tells t... [ Continue Reading ]
19._But I will come shortly. _“They are in a mistake,” says he, “in raising their crests during my absence, as though this were to be of long duration, for they shall in a short time perceive how vain their confidence has been.” He has it not, however, so much in view to terrify them, as though he w... [ Continue Reading ]
20._For the kingdom of God is not in word _As the Lord governs the Church by his word, as with a scepter, the administration of the gospel is often called _the kingdom of God _Here, then, we are to understand _by the kingdom of God _whatever tends in this direction, and is appointed for this purpose... [ Continue Reading ]
21._What will ye _? The person who divided the Epistles into chapters ought to have made this the beginning of the _fifth _chapter. For having hitherto reproved the foolish pride of the Corinthians, their vain confidence, and their judgment as perverted and corrupted by ambition, he now makes mentio... [ Continue Reading ]