Commentary on the Epistles to the Corinthians John Calvin
John Calvin
in my precepts. (Ezekiel 36:26, 27.)
Paul says, that this blessing was accomplished through means of his preaching. Hence it abundantly appears, that he is a faithful minister of the New Covenant — which is a legitimate testimony in favor of his apostleship. The epithet fleshly is not taken here in a bad sense, but means soft and flexible, 1261 as it is contrasted with stony, that is, hard and stubborn, as is the heart of man by nature, until it has been subdued by the Spirit of God. 1262
2 Corinthians 3:4-11
2 Corinthians 3:4-11 4. And such trust have we through Christ to God-ward: 4. Fiduciam autem eiusmodi per Christum habemus erga Deum: 5. Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God;
5. Non quod idonei simus ex nobis ad cogitandum quicquam, tanquam ex nobis: sed facultas nostra ex Deo est.
6. Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life.
6. Qui nos fecit idoneos ministros Novi testamenti, 1263 non literae, sed Spiritus: nam litera quidem occidit: Spiritus autem vivificat.
7. But if the ministration of death, written and engraven in stones, was glorious, so that the children of Israel could not stedfastly behold the face of Moses for the glory of his countenance; which glory was to be done away:
7. Quodsi ministerium mortis in literis insculptum in lapidibus fuit in gloria, ita ut non possent intueri filii Israel in faciem Mosis propter gloriam vultus eius, quae aboletur:
8. How shall not the ministration of the Spirit be rather glorious? 8. Quomodo non magis ministerium Spiritus erit in gloria? 9. For if the ministration of condemnation be glory, much more doth the ministration of righteousness exceed in glory.
9. Si enim ministerium damnationis, gloria: quomodo non magis abundet (vel, excellat) ministerium iustitiae in gloria?
10. For even that which was made glorious had no glory in this respect, by reason of the glory that excelleth.
10. Etenim quod glorificatum fuit, in hac parte, non fuit glorificatum propter antecellentem gloriam.
1261"Vn cœur docile et ployable, ou aisé à ranger;" — "A heart that is teachable and flexible, or easy to manage."
1262"Jusques à ce qu'il soit donté et amolli par le sainct Esprit;" — "Until it has been tamed and softened by the Holy Spirit."
1263"Du nouueau Testament, ou, de la nouuelle alliance;" — "Of the New Testament, or, of the new covenant."