Commentary on the Epistles to the Corinthians John Calvin
John Calvin
if the Lord shall see meet.
Patience is the regulation of the mind in adversity, which is an excellence that ought invariably to distinguish a good minister. 1479 Afflictions include more than necessities; for by the term necessity here I understand poverty. Now this is common to many ministers, there being few of them that are not in poor circumstances; but at the same time not to all. For why should a moderate amount of riches prevent a man from being reckoned a servant of Christ, who, in other respects, is pious, is of upright mind and honorable deportment, and is distinguished by other excellences. As the man that is poor is not on that account to be straightway accounted a good minister, so the man that is rich is not on that account to be rejected. Nay more, Paul in another passage glories not less in his knowing how to abound, than in knowing how to be in want. (Philippians 4:12.) Hence we must observe the distinction that I have mentioned, between occasional and invariable grounds of commendation. 1480
5. In tumults In proportion to the calmness and gentleness of Paul's disposition was there the greater excellence displayed in his standing undaunted in the face of tumults; and he takes praise to himself on this account — that while he regarded tumults with abhorrence, he nevertheless encountered them with bravery. 1481 Nor does the praise simply consist in his being unmoved by tumults, (this being commonly found among all riotous persons, 1482 ) but in his being thrown into no alarm by tumults that had been stirred up through the fault of others. And, unquestionably, two things are required on the part of ministers of the Gospel — that they should endeavor to the utmost of their power to maintain peace, and yet on the other hand go forward, undaunted, through the midst of commotions, so as not to turn aside from the right course, though heaven and earth should be mingled. 1483 Chrysostom, however, prefers to understand {ἀκαταστασίαις} to mean — frequent expulsions, 1484 inasmuch as there afforded him a place of rest.
1485 In fastings He does not mean — hunger arising from destitution, but a
1479"The words {ἐν} {ὑπομονὣ} {πολλὣ}, (in much patience,) must be connected with the following clauses up to {ἐν} {νηστείαις} (in watchings,) and denote patient endurance of the various afflictions specified in the words following, which are not to be treated (with Rosenm.) as merely synonymes denoting evils in general, but considered specially, and (as I conceive the Apostle meant) in groups.'' --- Bloomfield. --- Ed.
1480"Entre les louanges temporelles et perpetuelles, c'est … dire qui doyuent tousiours estre es vrais ministres;" — "Between occasional grounds of commendation and perpetual, that is to say, what ought to be found invariably in true ministers."
1481"D'vne courage magnanime;" — "With magnanimous heroism." 1482"Veu que cela est coustumier … tous mutins de ne s'estonner point quand seditions s'esmeuuent;" — "As it is customary for all riotous persons to be thrown into no alarm when tumults break out."
1483A proverbial expression made use of by Virgil. 'n. I. 133,134 — Ed. 1484"L'incommodite de ce qu'il estoit souuent contraint de changer de pays, pource qu' on ne le laissoit en paix en quelque lieu qu'il fust;" — "The inconvenience of being frequently under the necessity of changing his country, because they did not allow him to be in peace in any place in which he might be."
1485Semler understands the term in the same sense — "Quod non licet diu manere et quiescere quasi uno in loco, sed semper periculorum vitandorum causa locum et solum mutare. Iud'i autem faciunt jam infensi et infesti hostes Pauli, ut vel ex actibus Luc' satis patet;