Commentary on the Epistles to the Corinthians John Calvin
Commentary on the Corinthians at the same time to the veil of Moses, (Exodus 34:33,) of which he had made mention, but he ascribes a quite different veil to the false Apostles. For Moses covered his face, because the excessive brightness of the glory of the law could not be endured by tender and blear eyes. They, 1322 on the other hand, put on a veil by way of ornament. Besides, as they would be despicable, nay, infamous, if the simplicity of the gospel shone forth, they, on this account, hide their shame under ever so many cloaks and masks.
Not walking in craftiness. There can be no doubt, that the false Apostles delighted themselves greatly in the craftiness that Paul reproves, as though it had been a distinguished excellence, as we see even at this day some, even of those who profess the gospel, who would rather be esteemed subtile than sincere, and sublime rather than solid, while in the mean time all their refinement is mere childishness. But what would you do? It delights them to have a name for acuteness, and they have, under that pretext, applause among the ignorant. 1323 We learn, however, in what estimation Paul holds this appearance of excellence. Craftiness he declares to be unworthy of Christ's servants.
As to what follows — nor handling deceitfully — I am not sure that this sufficiently brings out Paul's meaning; for the verb {δολοῦν} does not so properly mean acting fraudulently, as what is called falsifying 1324 as horsejockeys 1325 are wont to do. In this passage, at least, it is placed in contrast with upright preaching, agreeably to what follows.
But by manifestation of the truth He claims to himself this praise — that he had proclaimed the pure doctrine of the gospel in simplicity and without disguise, and has the consciences of all as witnesses of this in the sight of God. As he has placed the manifestation of the truth in contrast with the disguised 1326 doctrine of the sophists, so he appeals the decision to their consciences, and to the judgment-seat of God, whereas they abused the mistaken judgment of men, or their corrupt affection, and were not so desirous to be in reality worthy of praise as they were eager to appear so. Hence we infer, that there is a contrast here between the consciences of men and their ears. Let the servants of Christ, therefore, reckon it enough to have approved their integrity to the consciences of men in the sight of God, and pay no regard to the corrupt inclinations of men, or to popular applause.
3. But if our gospel is hid It might have been an easy thing to pour calumny upon what he had said as to the clearness of his preaching, because
1322"Les faux apostres;" — "The false apostles." 1323"Enuers les gens simples, et qui ne scauent pas iuger des choses;" — "Among simple people, and those that do not know how to judge of things."
1324The verb {δολοῦν} is applied by Lucian (in Hermot. 59) to vintners adulterating wine, in which sense it is synonymous with {καπηλέυειν}, made use of by Paul in 2 Corinthians 2:17. Beza's rendering of the clause exactly corresponds with the one to which Calvin gives the preference --- ``Neque falsantes sermonem Dei;'' --- ``Nor falsifying the word of God.'' Tyndale (1534) renders the clause thus --- ``Nether corrupte we the worde of God.'' The rendering in the Rheims version (1582) is --- ``Nor adulterating the word of God.'' --- Ed.
1325"Et frippiers;" — "And brokers." 1326"Fardee et desguisee;" — "Painted and disguised"