1._It is generally reported that there is among you. _Those contentions having originated, as has been observed, in presumption and excessive confidence, he most appropriately proceeds to make mention of their diseases, the knowledge of which should have the effect of humbling them. First of all, he... [ Continue Reading ]
2._And ye are puffed up _“_Are _ye not ashamed,” says he, “to glory in what affords so much occasion for humiliation?” He had observed previously, that even the highest excellence gives no just ground of glorying, inasmuch as mankind have nothing of their own, and it is only through the grace of God... [ Continue Reading ]
3._I truly, _etc. As the Corinthians were wanting in their duty, having condemned their negligence, he now shows what ought to be done. In order that this stain may be removed, they must cast out this incestuous person from the society of the faithful. He prescribes, then, as a remedy for the diseas... [ Continue Reading ]
4._When you are gathered together and my spirit _— that is, when ye are _gathered together _with me, but _in spirit_, for they could not meet together as to bodily presence. He declares, however, that it would be all one as though he were personally present. It is to be carefully observed, that Paul... [ Continue Reading ]
5._To deliver to Satan for the destruction of the flesh. _As the Apostles had been furnished with this power among others, that they could _deliver over to Satan _wicked and obstinate persons, and made use of him as a scourge to correct them, Chrysostom, and those that follow him, view these words o... [ Continue Reading ]
6._Your glorying is not good_. He condemns their glorying, not simply because they extolled themselves beyond what is lawful for man, but because they delighted themselves in their faults. He had previously stripped mankind of all glory; for he had shown that, as they have nothing of their own, what... [ Continue Reading ]
7._Purge out therefore _Having borrowed a similitude from _leaven_, he pursues it farther, though he makes a transition from a particular point to a general doctrine. For he is no longer speaking of the case of incest, but exhorts them generally to purity of life, on the ground that we cannot remain... [ Continue Reading ]
8.Now, in the solemnity of this sacred feast we must abstain from _leaven_, as God commanded the fathers to abstain. But from what leaven? As the outward passover was to them a figure of the true _passover_, so its appendages were figures of the reality which we at this day possess. If, therefore, w... [ Continue Reading ]
9._I wrote to you in an epistle. _The epistle of which he speaks is not at this day extant. Nor is there any doubt that many others are lost. It is enough, however, that those have been preserved to us which the Lord foresaw would suffice. But this passage, in consequence of its obscurity, has been... [ Continue Reading ]
10._Since you would have required. _It is as to this clause especially that interpreters are not agreed. For some say, “You must sooner quit Greece.” Ambrose, on the other hand, says, “You must rather die.” Erasmus turns it into the optative, as if Paul said, “Would that it were allowable for you to... [ Continue Reading ]
11._If he who is called a brother _In the Greek there is a participle (300) without a verb. (301) Those that view this as referring to what follows, bring out here a forced meaning, and at variance with Paul’s intention. I confess, indeed, that that is a just sentiment, (302) and worthy of being par... [ Continue Reading ]
12._For what have I to do to judge them that are without _? There is nothing to hinder us from judging these also — nay more, even devils themselves are not exempt from the judgment of the word which is committed to us. But Paul is speaking here of the jurisdiction that belongs peculiarly to the Chu... [ Continue Reading ]
13._Put away that wicked person. _This is commonly explained as referring to the person who was guilty of an illicit connection with his mother-in-law. For as to those who understand the expression to mean — “Put away _evil _or _wickedness_, ” they are refuted by the Greek words made use of by Paul,... [ Continue Reading ]