Commentary on the Epistles to the Corinthians John Calvin (continued)
John Calvin this accords with the nature of the Gospel, which we shall find him, a little afterwards, calling the ministry of life? (2 Corinthians 3:6.) The answer is easy: The Gospel is preached for salvation: this is what properly belongs to it; but believers alone are partakers of that salvation. In the mean time, its being an occasion of condemnation to unbelievers — that arises from their own fault. Thus
Christ came not into the world to condemn the world, (John 3:17,) for what need was there of this, inasmuch as without him we are all condemned? Yet he sends his apostles to bind, as well as to loose, and to retain sins, as well as remit them. (Matthew 18:18; John 20:23.) He is the light of the world, (John 8:12,) but he blinds unbelievers. (John 9:39.) He is a Rock, for a foundation, but he is also to many a stone of stumbling. 1241
(Isaiah 8:14.) We must always, therefore, distinguish between the proper office of the Gospel, 1242 and the accidental one (so to speak) which must be imputed to the depravity of mankind, to which it is owing, that life to them is turned into death.
16. And who is sufficient for these things? This exclamation is thought by some 1243 to be introduced by way of guarding against arrogance, for he confesses, that to discharge the office of a good Apostle 1244 to Christ is a thing that exceeds all human power, and thus he ascribes the praise to God. Others think, that he takes notice of the small number of good ministers. I am of opinion, that there is an implied contrast that is shortly afterwards expressed. "Profession, it is true, is common, and many confidently boast; but to have the reality, is indicative of a rare and distinguished excellence. 1245 I claim nothing for myself, but what will be discovered to be in me, if trial is made." Accordingly, as those, who hold in common the office of
}חיים{ סםsam chiim); but to him who does not attend to the law on account of the law itself, to him it becomes an aromatic of death, {}סםsam),{}מותmaveth)' --- the idea of which is, that as medicines skilfully applied will heal, but if unskilfully applied will aggravate a disease, so it is with the words of the law. Again, `The word of the law which proceeds out of the mouth of God is an odour of life to the Israelites, but an odour of death to the Gentiles.' '' --- Barnes. --- Ed.
1241"De scandale et achoppement;" — "Of offense and stumbling." 1242"Le propre et naturel office de l'Euangile;" — "The proper and natural office of the Gospel."
1243Among these is Chrysostom, who, when commenting upon this passage, says: {᾿Επειδὴ} {μεγάλα} {ἐφθέγξατο}, {ὃτι} {θυσία} {ἐσμὲν} {τοῦ῎῝}8217; {Χριστοῦ῎῝}8217; {καὶ} {εὐωδία}, {καὶ} {θριαμβευόμεθα} {πανταχοῦ} {πάλιν} {μετριάζει} {τῷ῎῝}8217; {θεῷ῎῝}8217; {πάντα} {ἀνατίθει} {διὸ} {καὶ} {φησὶ}, {καὶ} {πρὸς}'' {ταῦτα} {τίς}'' {ἱκανός}; {τὸ} {γὰρ} {πᾶν} {τοῦ῎῝}8217; {Χριστοῦ}, {φησιν}, {εστιν} {οὐδὲν} {ἡμέτερον} {ὁρᾶς}' ''{ἐπεναντίας}'' {ψευδαποστόλοις}'' {φθεγγόμενον} {οἱ} {μὲν} {γὰρ} {καυχῶνται} {ὡς}'' {παρ} {᾿} {ἑαυτῶν} {εἰσφέροντές}'' {τι} {εἰς}'' {τὸ} {κήρυγμα} {οὗτος}'' {δὲ} {διὰ} {τοῦτό} {φησι} {καυχᾶσθαι}, {ἐπειδὴ} {οὐδὲν} {αὐτοῦ῎῝}8217;{φησιν} {εἶναι}. --- ``Having uttered great things --- that we are an offering, and a sweet savor of Christ, and that we are made to triumph everywhere, he again qualifies this by ascribing everything to God. Accordingly he says: And who is sufficient for these things? For everything, says he, is Christ's --- nothing is ours: you see that he expresses himself in a manner directly opposite to that of the false apostles. For these, indeed, boast, as if they of themselves contributed something towards their preaching, while he, on the other hand, says, that he boasts on this ground --- because nothing, he says, is his.'' --- Ed.
1244"Loyale et fidele Apostre;" — "A loyal and faithful Apostle." 1245"C'est vne vertu excellente, et bien clair semee;" — "It is a distinguished excellence, and very thin sown."