Commentary on the Epistles to the Corinthians John Calvin
John Calvin
Hence Paul says, that death had been set before his eyes, that he might, in consequence of this, recognize the more distinctly the power of God, by which he had been raised up from the dead. The first thing in order, it is true, is this — that, by means of the strength with which God furnishes us, we should acknowledge him as the Author of life; but as in consequence of our dulness the light of life often dazzles our eyes, it is necessary that we should be brought to God by having death presented to our view. 1140
10. Who hath delivered us from so great a death Here he applies to himself personally, what he had stated in a general way, and by way of proclaiming the grace of God, he declares that he had not been disappointed in his expectation, inasmuch as he had been delivered from death, and that too, in no common form. As to his manner of expression, the hyperbole, which he makes use of, is not unusual in the Scriptures, for it frequently occurs, both in the Prophets and in the Psalms, and it is made use of even in common conversation. What Paul acknowledges as to himself personally, let every one now take home as applicable to himself.
In whom we have an assured hope. He promises himself as to the future, also, that beneficence of God, which he had often experienced in the past. Nor is it without good reason; for the Lord, by accomplishing in part what he has promised, bids us hope well as to what remains. Nay more, in proportion to the number of favors that we receive from him, does he by so many pledges, or earnests, as it were, confirm his promises. 1141 Now, although Paul had no doubt that God would of his own accord be present with him, yet he exhorts the Corinthians to commend to God in their prayers his safety. For when he assumes it as certain, that he will be aided by them, this declaration has the force of an exhortation, and he means that they would not merely do it as a matter of duty, but also with advantage. 1142
"Your prayers, also," he says, "will help me." 1143 For God wills not that the duty of mutual intercession, which he enjoins upon us, should be without advantage. This ought to be a stimulus to us, on the one hand, to solicit the intercession of our brethren, when we are weighed down by any necessity, and, on the other, to render similar assistance in return, since we are informed, that it is not only a duty that is well pleasing to God, but also profitable to ourselves. Nor is it owing to distrust that the Apostle implores
1140"Il nous est necessaire pour estre amenez à Dieu, d'estre reduits â telle extremite que nous voyons la mort presente deuant nos yeux;" — "It is necessary, in order that we may be brought back to God, that we should be brought to such an extremity, that we see death presented before our eyes."
1141Granville Penn reads the passage as follows: "Who hath delivered us from so great a death; and will deliver us: in whom we hope that he will deliver us." — "The Vat. and Ephrem MSS." he observes, "read {ῥύσεται}, not {ῥύεται}, as in the rec. text. The latter reading seems to have been substituted, because {ῥύσεται}, occurs again in the following sentence; but the Apostle repeats the word, that he may qualify it by {ἠλπίκαμεν}, (we hope.'') --- Ed.
1142"Mais aussi auec bonne issue, d'autant qu'ils seront exaucez;" — "But also with good success, inasmuch as they will be heard."
1143"L'aide, dit il, que vous me feriez par vos prieres, ne sera point sans fruit;" — "The aid, he says, that you will afford me by your prayers, will not be without advantage."