Commentary on the Epistles to the Corinthians John Calvin (continued)
Commentary on the Corinthians the friendly aid of his brethren, 1144 for, while he felt assured, that his safety would be the object of God's care, 1145 though he were destitute of all human help, yet he knew that it was well pleasing to God, that he should be aided by the prayers of the saints. He had respect, also, to the promises that were given, that assistance of this kind would not be in vain. Hence, in order that he might not overlook any assistance that was appointed to him by God, he desired that the brethren should pray for his preservation.
The sum is this — that we follow the word of God, that is, that we obey his commandments and cleave to his promises. This is not the part of those who have recourse to the assistance of the dead; 1146 for not contented with the sources of help appointed by God, they call in to their aid a new one, that has no countenance from any declaration of Scripture. For whatever we find mentioned there as to mutual intercession, has no reference to the dead, but is expressly restricted to the living. Hence Papists act childishly in perverting those passages, so as to give some colour to their superstition. 1147
11. That the gift bestowed upon us through means of many persons. As there is some difficulty in Paul's words, interpreters differ as to the meaning. I shall not spend time in setting aside the interpretations of others, nor indeed is there any need for this, provided only we are satisfied as to the true and proper meaning. He had said, that the prayers of the Corinthians would be an assistance to him. He now adds a second advantage that would accrue from it — a higher manifestation of God's glory. "For whatever God will confer upon me," says he, "being as it were obtained through means of many persons, will, also, by many be celebrated with praises:" or in this way — "Many will give thanks to God in my behalf, because, in affording help to me, he has favorably regarded the prayers, not merely of one but of many." In the first place, while it is our duty to allow no favor from God to pass without rendering praise, it becomes us, nevertheless, more especially when our prayers have been favorably regarded by him, to acknowledge his mercy
1144"You also helping together by prayer for us, ({Συνυπουργούντων} {καὶ} {ὑμῶν} {ὑπὲρ} {ἡμῶν} {τὣ} {δεήσει}.) The particle {καί} is emphatical, You also --- implying, that neither God's promise, nor his power, would procure this mercy alone without their prayer. Besides the goodness of God on his part, there must be prayer on their part. The word in the original for helping is emphatical, being twice compounded. {̔υπουργούντων} doth denote the service and ministry of those who are under us; and so it doth imply, that the Church doth owe as a debt unto their spiritual guides earnest prayer for them. […] Then there is the preposition {σύν} added, which doth denote not only their effectual prayers, but their concord and agreement therein, and that in their public and solemn assemblies. Again, the word signifying --- to work, and labor, doth denote what the nature of prayer is --- that the soul labors therein, is fervent, full of agonies; which showeth that the customary formal prayers of most people are not worthy of the name: there is no labor, or fervency of the soul therein. --- They labored by prayer. They did not labor by using friends to solicit the magistrate in Paul's behalf, for there was no hope from them, but they made their addresses to God.'' --- Burgesse. --- Ed.
1145"Que Dieu auroit soin de son salut et proufit;" — "That God would take care of his safety and advantage."
1146"Qui out leurs recours aux prieres des saincts trespassez;" — "Who have recourse to the prayers of departed saints."
1147"Pour desguiser et farder leur superstition;" — "To disguise and color over their superstition."