Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God. Ver. 1. _Let a man so account_] _Quasi dicat, _ though we are yours, as 1 Corinthians 3:22, devoted to the service of your faith, yet are we not to be slighted, but respected as Christ's high stewards.... [ Continue Reading ]
Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful. Ver. 2. _That a man be found faithful_] Giving every man his due proportion of fit food, Matthew 24:45, not as he in the emblem, that gave straw to the dog, and a bone to the ass.... [ Continue Reading ]
But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged of you, or of man's judgment: yea, I judge not mine own self. Ver. 3. _But with me it is, &c._] A good minister reviled, may reply, as once a steward did to his passionate lord, when he called him knave, &c. Your honour may speak as you p... [ Continue Reading ]
For I know nothing by myself; yet am I not hereby justified: but he that judgeth me is the Lord. Ver. 4. _Yet am I not, &c._] Paul a chosen vessel, but yet an earthen vessel, knew well that he had his cracks and his flaws, which God could easily find out.... [ Continue Reading ]
Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God. Ver. 5. _Until the Lord come_] _Tot argumeuta quot verba, _ saith Paraeus, every... [ Continue Reading ]
And these things, brethren, I have in a figure transferred to myself and _to_ Apollos for your sakes; that ye might learn in us not to think _of men_ above that which is written, that no one of you be puffed up for one against another. Ver. 6. _I have in a figure, &c._] _i.e._ I have represented an... [ Continue Reading ]
For who maketh thee to differ _from another_ ? and what hast thou that thou didst not receive? now if thou didst receive _it_, why dost thou glory, as if thou hadst not received _it_ ? Ver. 7. _For who maketh thee_] He directeth his speech to those _Theologi gloriae, _ Preachers of praise, as Luthe... [ Continue Reading ]
Now ye are full, now ye are rich, ye have reigned as kings without us: and I would to God ye did reign, that we also might reign with you. Ver. 8. _Now ye are rich_] _Crescit oratio, _ saith Piscator here. The apostle riseth in his expressions, and that all along by an ironic reprehension. These Co... [ Continue Reading ]
For I think that God hath set forth us the apostles last, as it were appointed to death: for we are made a spectacle unto the world, and to angels, and to men. Ver. 9. _As it were men appointed to death_] As when he fought with beasts at Ephesus. The heathens in their public calamities would common... [ Continue Reading ]
We _are_ fools for Christ's sake, but ye _are_ wise in Christ; we _are_ weak, but ye _are_ strong; ye _are_ honourable, but we _are_ despised. Ver. 10. _We are fools, &c._] Not to the world only, but in your account too. For these Corinthians undervalued and depressed Paul under their silly shallow... [ Continue Reading ]
Even unto this present hour we both hunger, and thirst, and are naked, and are buffeted, and have no certain dwellingplace; Ver. 11. _Even to this present_] Thus he complaineth, not out of impatience (for he was active in his sufferings), but to stain their pride, that permitted it so to be, when i... [ Continue Reading ]
And labour, working with our own hands: being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we suffer it: Ver. 12. _And labour, working, &c._] Whereas they might object, Are you hungry, thirsty, naked? It is because you are idle. No, saith he, "we labour, working with our hands" (a shame for you to suffer i... [ Continue Reading ]
Being defamed, we intreat: we are made as the filth of the world, _and are_ the offscouring of all things unto this day. Ver. 13. _Being defamed, we entreat_] Though Luther call me devil, saith Calvin, yet I will honour him as a servant of God. _ We are made as the filth of the world_] _q.d._ The... [ Continue Reading ]
I write not these things to shame you, but as my beloved sons I warn _you_. Ver. 14. _To shame you_] An innocent person sometimes, upon the fulness of an aspersion, may conceive shame, as David did, Psalms 44:15, yet usually shame is the effect of an evil conscience, and may prove, by God's blessin... [ Continue Reading ]
For though ye have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet _have ye_ not many fathers: for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel. Ver. 15. _Ten thousand instructors_] Gr. pedagogues, who often prove _orbiliusses, _ sharp and severe above measure, _Verberibus pluunt, colaphis grandi... [ Continue Reading ]
Wherefore I beseech you, be ye followers of me. Ver. 16. _Be ye followers of me_] As dear children. _A bove maiori discit arare minor._ From the larger bull the smaller ones are taught to plough, (Ovid.) Constantine's children resembled their father exactly, they put him wholly on, saith Eusebius,... [ Continue Reading ]
For this cause have I sent unto you Timotheus, who is my beloved son, and faithful in the Lord, who shall bring you into remembrance of my ways which be in Christ, as I teach every where in every church. Ver. 17. _For this cause_] That ye may be followers of me, and know what I do. _ Of my ways wh... [ Continue Reading ]
Now some are puffed up, as though I would not come to you. Ver. 18. _Now some are puffed up_] Swelling in the body is an ill symptom. So it is in the soul. A swelling wall will shortly fall.... [ Continue Reading ]
But I will come to you shortly, if the Lord will, and will know, not the speech of them which are puffed up, but the power. Ver. 19. _Not the speech of them which are puffed up_] _Dicta factis deficientibus, erubescunt. Malo autem miserandum quam erubescendum, _ saith Tertullian, either add practic... [ Continue Reading ]
For the kingdom of God _is_ not in word, but in power. Ver. 20. _The kingdom of God_] _i.e._ The administration of his ordinances and government of the Church.... [ Continue Reading ]
What will ye? shall I come unto you with a rod, or in love, and _in_ the spirit of meekness? Ver. 21. _With a rod, or in love?_] Both; but (as children) we think not so. _Sed sinite virgam corripientem, ne sentiatis malleum conterentem, _ saith one father. (Bern.) _Non erudit pater nisi quem amat,... [ Continue Reading ]