Commentary on the Epistles to the Corinthians John Calvin
John Calvin nature and influence. This is the simple meaning, while the refinement of the Manichees is a mere calumny.
We must, however, reply to another objection still. For Christ, so long as he lived in the world, lived a life similar to ours, and therefore earthly: hence it is not a proper contrast. The solution of this question will serve farther to refute the contrivance 1016 of the Manichees. For we know, that the body of Christ was liable to death, and that it was exempted from corruption, not by its essential property, (as they speak,) 1017 but solely by the providence of God. Hence Christ was not merely earthy as to the essence of his body, but was also for a time in an earthly condition; for before Christ's power could show itself in conferring the heavenly life, it was necessary that he should die in the weakness of the flesh, (2 Corinthians 13:4.) Now this heavenly life appeared first in the resurrection, that he might quicken us also.
49. As we have borne Some have thought, that there is here an exhortation to a pious and holy life, into which Paul was led by way of digression; and on that account they have changed the verb from the future tense into the hortative mood. Nay more, in some Greek manuscripts the reading is {φορέσωμεν} (let us bear,) 1018 but as that does not suit so well in respect of connection, let us adopt in preference what corresponds better with the object in view and the context. 1019 Let us observe, in the first place, that this is not an exhortation, but pure doctrine, and that he is not treating here of newness of life, but pursues, without any interruption, the thread of his discourse respecting the resurrection of the flesh. The meaning accordingly will be this: "As the animal nature, which has the precedency in us, is the image of Adam, so we shall be conformed to Christ in the heavenly nature; and this will be the completion of our restoration. For we now begin to bear the image of Christ, and are every day more and more transformed into it; 1020 but that image consists in spiritual regeneration. But then it will be fully restored both in body and in soul, and what is now begun will be perfected, and accordingly we will obtain in reality what we as yet only hope for." If, however, any one prefers a different reading, this statement will serve to spur forward the Corinthians; and if there had been a lively meditation of sincere piety and a new life, it might have been the means of kindling up in them at the same time the hope of heavenly glory.
50. Now this I say This clause intimates, that what follows is explanatory of the foregoing statement. "What I have said as to bearing the image of
1016"La meschante imagination;" — "The wicked fancy." 1017"Afin que Fuse du terme commun;" — "To use the common phrase." 1018"Pourtant en lieu de Nous porterons, aucuns ont traduit Portons. Et mesme aucuns liures Grecs le lisent ainsi;" — "Hence instead of We shall bear, some have rendered it, Let us bear. And even some Greek manuscripts read it thus."
1019The Alexandrine manuscript, with some others, reads {φορέσωμεν}, let us bear. The rendering of the Vulgate is portemus --- (let us bear.) Wiclif (1380) following the Vulgate, as he is wont, renders as follows: bere we also the ymage of the heuenli. --- Ed.
1020"Car nons ne faisons encore que commencer a porter l'image de Jesus Christ;" — "For as yet we do but begin to bear the image of Jesus Christ."