Expositor's Greek Testament (Nicoll)

1 Corinthians 11:19

Paul is prepared to believe what he thus hears; these divisions were inevitable: “For indeed parties must needs exist among you”. δεῖ affirms a necessity lying in the moral conditions of the case (see note on ὀφείλω, 1 Corinthians 11:7). αἵρεσις (see parls., and note on 1 Corinthians 1:11; from αἱρέομαι, to choose) is more specific than σχίσμα, implying mental tendency in philosophy a school, Richtung, then a sect or party formed on a basis of opinion : see Cr [1693], s.v.; also Trench, Syn. § 4; “Heresy is theoretical schism, schism practical heresy”. These words designate, as yet, parties within the Church; in Titus 3:10; 2 Peter 2:1, they verge toward their ecclesiastical use. Now there is a true purpose of God fulfilled in these unhappy divisions; they serve to sift the loyal from the disloyal. “in order that also the approved may become manifest among you”. These αἱρέσεις are a magnet attracting unsound and unsettled minds, and leaving genuine believers to stand out “approved” by their constancy; see 2 Thessalonians 2:11 f., where the same thought is differently applied; also Romans 5:4, ἡ ὑπομονὴ κατεργάζεται δοκιμήν, 1 Peter 1:7; alsoTert [1694], De Prœscr. Hœret., 4, “ut fides habendo tentationem habeat etiam probationem”. For δόκιμος, accepted on proof, see parls., esp. 1 Corinthians 9:27; those approved with God thus “become manifest” to men; “l'effet est de manifester au grand jour les membres de l'église sérieux et de bon aloi” (Gd [1695]). “Dominus talibus experimentis probat constantiam suorum. Pulchra consolatio!” (Cv [1696]).

[1693] Cremer's Biblico-Theological Lexicon of N.T. Greek (Eng. Trans.).

[1694]ert. Tertullian.

[1695] F. Godet's Commentaire sur la prem. Ép. aux Corinthiens (Eng. Trans.).

[1696] Calvin's In Nov. Testamentum Commentarii.

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Expositor's Greek Testament (Nicoll)

1 Corinthians 11:19

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