Commentary on the Epistles to the Corinthians John Calvin (continued)
Commentary on the Corinthians
14. Scientes, quod qui suscitavit Dominum Iesum, nos etiam cum Iesu suscitabit, et constituet vobiscum.
15. For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God.
15. Nam omnia propter vos, ut gratia quæ abundaverit propter gratiarum actionem, quæ a multis proficiscetur, abundet in gloriam Dei.
16. For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.
16. quamobrem non deficimus: verum etsi externus homo noster corrumpitur, noster internus renovatur de die in diem.
17. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;
17. Levitas enim afflictionis nostrae supramodum momentanea, 1374 mternum supramodum pondus glorim operatur in nobis (vel, motentatea levitas operatur in excellentia excellenter.)
18. While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.
18. Dum non spectamus ea quæ videntur, sed quæ non videntur: nam quae videntur, temporaria sunt: quæ autem non videntur, æterna.
13. Having the same spirit. This is a correction of the foregoing irony. He had represented the condition of the Corinthians as widely different from his own, (not according to his own judgment, but according to their erroneous view,) inasmuch as they were desirous of a gospel that was pleasant and free from all molestation of the cross, and entertained less honorable views of him, because his condition was less renowned. Now, however, he associates himself with them in the hope of the same blessedness. "Though God spares you, and deals with you more indulgently, while he treats me with somewhat more severity, this diversity, nevertheless, will be no hinderance in the way of the like glorious resurrection awaiting both of us. For where there is oneness of faith, there will, also, there be one inheritance." It has been thought, that the Apostle speaks here of the holy fathers, who lived under the Old Testament, and represents them as partakers with us, in the same faith. This, indeed, is true, but it does not accord with the subject in hand. For it is not Abraham, or the rest of the fathers, that he associates with himself in a fellowship of faith, but rather the Corinthians, whereas they separated themselves from him by a perverse ambition. "However my condition," says he, "may appear to be the worse for the present, we shall, nevertheless, one day be alike participants in the same glory, for we are connected together by one faith." Whoever will examine the connection attentively, will perceive, that this is the true and proper interpretation. By metonymy, he gives the 1374"Car nostre legere affliction qui est de peu de duree … merueille, ou, qui ne fait que passer;" — "For our light affliction, which is of marvellously short duration, or, which does but pass away."