Commentary on the Epistles to the Corinthians John Calvin (continued)
Commentary on the Corinthians
Wherefore, also, through him let there be Amen. Here also the Greek manuscripts do not agree, for some of them have it in one continued statement — As many promises of God as there are, are in him Yea, and in him Amen to the glory of God through us. 1186 The different reading, however, which I have followed, is easier, and contains a fuller meaning. For as he had said, that, in Christ, God has confirmed the truth of all his promises, so now he teaches us, that it is our duty to acquiesce in this ratification. This we do, when, resting upon Christ by a sure faith, we subscribe and set our seal that God is true, as we read in John 3:33, and that with a view to his glory, as this is the end to which everything should be referred. (Ephesians 1:13, and Romans 3:4.) The other reading, I confess, is the more common one, but as it is somewhat meagre, I have not hesitated to prefer the one that contains the fuller meaning, and, besides, is much better suited to the context. For Paul reminds the Corinthians of their duty — to utter their Amen in return, after having been instructed in the simple truth of God. If, however, any one is reluctant to depart from the other reading, there must, in any case, be an exhortation deduced from it 1187 to a mutual agreement in doctrine and faith.
2 Corinthians 1:21-22
2 Corinthians 1:21-22 21. Now he which stablisheth us with you in Christ, and hath anointed us, is God;
21. Qui autem confirmat nos vobiscum in Christo, et qui unxit nos, Deus est:
22. Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts.
22. Qui et obsignavit nos, et dedit arrhabonem Spiritus in cordibus nostris.
God, indeed, is always true and steadfast in his promises, and has always his Amen, as often as he speaks. But as for us, such is our vanity, that we do not utter our Amen in return, except when he gives a sure testimony in our hearts by his word. This he does by his Spirit. That is what Paul means here. He had previously taught, that this is a befitting harmony — when, on the one hand, the calling of God is without repentance, (Romans 11:29,) and we, in our turn, with an unwavering faith, accept of the blessing of adoption that is held out to us. That God remains steadfast to his promise is not 1186"The most ancient MSS. and versions read the verse thus: — {ὃσαι} {γὰρ} {ἐπαγγελίαι} {Θεοῦ} {ἐν} {αὐτῷ} {τὸ} {ναὶ} {διό} {καὶ} {δι} {᾿} {αὐτοῦ} {τοῦ} {᾿Αμὴν}, {τῷ} {Θεῷ} {πρὸς}'' {δοξαν} {δι} {᾿} {ἡμῶν};'' --- ``For all the promises of God are in him yea; because they are, through him, who is the Amen, to the glory of God by us.'' --- Penn
1187"Qu'il scache tousiours qu'il en faut tirer vne exhortation;" — "Let him always know this — that we must deduce from it an exhortation."