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 ]