Commentary on the Epistles to the Corinthians John Calvin (continued)
Commentary on the Corinthians
him.
He adds the reason — for he worketh the work of the Lord Hence we infer, that the Church of Christ ought to be concerned for the preservation of the lives of ministers. And assuredly, it is reasonable, that, in proportion as an individual is endowed with superior gifts for the edification of believers, and applies himself to it the more strenuously, his life ought to be so much dearer to us.
The clause — as I also do, is made use of, either to express his excellence, or simply to point out the similarity as to office, inasmuch as both labored in the word.
11. Let no man, therefore, despise him Here we have a second charge, that they may not despise him — perhaps because he was as yet of a youthful age, which usually draws forth less respect. He wishes them, therefore, to take care, that there be no hinderance in the way of this faithful minister of Christ being held in due esteem — unless, perhaps, it be that Paul reckoned this very thing to be an evidence of contempt, if they were not concerned, as it became them to be, in reference to his life. This injunction, however, appears to include something farther, that they should not undervalue Timothy, from ignorance of his worth.
In the third place, he charges them to conduct him forward in peace, or, in other words, safe from all harm, for peace here means safety.
12. As to our brother Apollos. He had succeeded Paul in the work of building up the Corinthians; and hence he has in previous passages ascribed to him the office of watering. (1 Corinthians 3:6, and Acts 19:1.) He now states a reason why he does not come with the others, and he states the reason of this, in order that the Corinthians may not suspect that he had been hindered by him. For the better he was known by them, they were so much the more favourably disposed towards him, and they would be the more ready to conjecture, that matters had been designedly contrived, that he should not go to them, in consequence of offense having been taken. 1061
They might, at least, be prepared to inquire among themselves: "Why has he sent these persons to us rather than Apollos?" He answers, that it was not owing to him, inasmuch as he entreated him; but he promises that he will come as soon as he has opportunity.
1 Corinthians 16:13-24
1 Corinthians 16:13-24 13. Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong. 13. Vigilate, state in fide, viriliter agite, robusti estote. 14. Let all your things be done with charity.
1061"Que sainct Paul se sentant offense par les Corinthiens, auoit attitre cela tout expres, qu' Apollos n'allast point vers eux;" — "That St. Paul feeling offended with the Corinthians, had intentionally brought it about, that Apollos should not go to them."