Commentary on the Epistles to the Corinthians John Calvin (continued)
John Calvin torpor. By adding, however, the adverb righteously, he intimates in what way he would have them wake up For they were sufficiently attentive and clear-sighted as to their own affairs: nay more, there can be no doubt that they congratulated themselves on their acuteness; but in the mean time they were drowsy, where they ought most of all to have been on the watch. He says accordingly, awake righteously — that is, "Direct your mind and aim to things that are good and holy."
He adds at the same time the reason, — For some, says he, among you are in ignorance of God This required to be stated: otherwise they might have thought that the admonition was unnecessary; for they looked upon themselves as marvellously wise. Now he convicts them of ignorance of God, that they may know that the main thing was wanting in them. A useful admonition to those who lay out all their agility in flying through the air, while in the mean time they do not see what is before their feet, and are stupid where they ought, most of all, to have been clear-sighted.
To your shame Just as fathers, when reproving their children for their faults, put them to shame, in order that they may by that shame cover their shame. When, however, he declared previously that he did not wish to shame them, (1 Corinthians 4:14,) his meaning was that he did not wish to hold them up to disgrace, by bringing forward their faults to public view in a spirit of enmity and hatred. 992 In the mean time, however, it was of advantage for them to be sharply reproved, as they were still indulging themselves in evils of such magnitude. Now Paul in reproaching them with ignorance of God, strips them entirely of all honor.
1 Corinthians 15:35-50
1 Corinthians 15:35-50 35. But some man will say, How are the dead raised up? and with what body do they come?
35. Sed dicet quispiam: Quomodo suscitabuntur mortui? quali nutem corpore venient?
36. Thou fool, that which thou sowest is not quickened, except it die: 36. Demens, tu quod seminas, non vivificatur nisi mortuum fuerit. 37. And that which thou sowest, thou sowest not that body that shall be, but bare grain, it may chance of wheat, or of some other grain:
37. Et quod seminas, non corpus quod nascentur, seminas, sed nudum granum: exempli gratis, tritici, nut alterius cujusvis generis:
38. But God giveth it a body as it hath pleased him, and to every seed his own body.
38. Deus autem illi dat corpus, quemadmodum voluerit, et unicuique the man who stands up for his own authority as he ought to do.'' --- Apud Gale, page 533, I. 20. Ed. 1688. --- Ed.
992See Calvin on the Corinthians, vol. 1, p. 167.