Commentary on the Epistles to the Corinthians John Calvin (continued)
Commentary on the Corinthians in an active sense, 1129 but a passive signification is more suitable, 1130 as Paul designed simply to explain in what respect everything that befell him was for their salvation. He says, accordingly, that he suffers, indeed, alone, but that his sufferings are of use for promoting their salvation — not as though they were expiations or sacrifices for sins, but as edifying them by confirming them. Hence he conjoins consolation and salvation, with the view of pointing out the way in which their salvation was to be accomplished.
7. Knowing, that as However there might be some of the Corinthians that were drawn away for the time by the calumnies of the false Apostles, so as to entertain less honorable views of Paul, on seeing him shamefully handled before the world, he, nevertheless, associates them with himself both in fellowship of afflictions, and in hope of consolation. 1131 Thus he corrects their perverse and malignant view, without subjecting them to an open rebuke.
8. For I would not have you ignorant He makes mention of the greatness and difficulty of his conflicts, that the glory of victory may thereby the more abundantly appear. Since the time of his sending them the former epistle, he had been exposed to great dangers, and had endured violent assaults. The probability, however, is that he refers here to the history, which Luke relates in Acts 19:23, though in that passage he does not so distinctly intimate the extent of the danger. As, however, he states that the whole city was in a tumult, (Acts 19:29,) it is easy from this to infer the rest. For we know what is the usual effect of a popular tumult, when it has been once kindled. By this persecution Paul declares he had been oppressed beyond measure, nay more, above strength, that is, so as not to be able to endure the burden. For it is a metaphor taken from persons who give way under the pressure of a heavy load, or from ships that sink from being overladen — not that he had actually fainted, but that he felt that his strength would have failed him, if the Lord had not imparted fresh strength. 1132
1129"Traduisant, Qui oeuure ou besongne;" — "Rendering it, Which works or labors." 1130Dr. Bloomfield, in his Notes on 1 Thessalonians 2:13, explains {ἐνεργεῖται}, to mean --- ``is made effectual,'' or ``shews itself in its effects,'' and adds: ``This view I find supported by the opinion of Schott, who maintains that {ἐνεργεῖσθαι}, is never in the New Testament used as a middle form, with an active sense; but always (especially in St. Paul's writings) as a passive. Indeed, Bp. Bull, Exam. p. 9, goes yet farther, and asserts, that it is scarcely ever so used, even in the Classical writers (I believe he might have said never) but always in a passive sense.'' --- Ed.
1131The Corinthians were {κοινωνοί} partakers of, or in communion with him in his afflictions. What is more humble and lowly ({τί} {ταπεινοφρωνέστερον}) than Paul in this expression? saith Chrysostom --- they who had not in the least measure shared with him in sufferings, yet he maketh them copartners with him. They are, as Salmeron expresseth it, Copartners in the gain and in the loss with Paul. They venture (as it were) in the ship together.'' --- Burgesse. --- Ed.
1132"Pressed above measure. ({καθ} {᾿} {ὑπερβολὴν} {ἐβαρήςθημεν}.) The words {βάρος} and {βάρουμαι}, are applied sometimes to the enduring of a burden, (Matthew 20:12; Galatians 6:2,) whether it be a temporal burden or spiritual […] In this place it seemeth to be taken from porters, who have a burden imposed upon them, more than they are able to stand under; or as Chrysostom, from ships which are over much burdened, and so are in danger of being lost. And as if there were not emphasis enough in the word pressed, he addeth another to aggravate it --- ({καθ} {᾿} {ὑπερβολήν}) --- above measure --- Above strength. ({ὑπὲρ} {δύναμιν}.) Chrysostom observeth this differeth from the other. For a burden may be exceeding heavy, yet to some mighty man it may not be above his strength. When Samson (Judges 16:3) carried away the gates of the city Gaza, with the posts and barre upon his shoulders, here was a burden out of measure