Commentary on the Epistles to the Corinthians John Calvin (continued)
Commentary on the Corinthians
"I cherish," says he, "towards you paternal affection: show yourselves then to be my sons by affection and respect in return." At the same time there is a particular circumstance that must be noticed, That the Corinthians, having found so indulgent a father, may also show gentleness in their turn, and may requite his kind condescension by their docility, he exhorts them with this view to be enlarged in their own bowels. The Old Interpreter, not having caught Paul's meaning, has added the participle having, and has thus expressed his own view rather than Paul's. In our exposition, on the other hand, (which is Chrysostom's, also,) there is nothing forced. 1501
14. Be not yoked As if regaining his authority, he now reproves them more freely, because they associated with unbelievers, as partakers with them in outward idolatry. For he has exhorted them to show themselves docile to him as to a father: he now, in accordance with the rights that belong to him, 1502 reproves the fault into which they had fallen. Now we mentioned in the former epistle 1503 what this fault was; for, as they imagined that there was nothing that was unlawful for them in outward things, they defiled themselves with wicked superstitions without any reserve. For in frequenting the banquets of unbelievers, they participated along with them in profane and impure rites, and while they sinned grievously, they nevertheless thought themselves innocent. On this account Paul inveighs here against outward idolatry, and exhorts Christians to stand aloof from it, and have no connection with it. He begins, however, with a general statement, with the view of coming down from that to a particular instance, for to be yoked with unbelievers means nothing less than to have fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, (Ephesians 5:11,) and to hold out the hand to them 1504 in token of agreement. Many are of opinion that he speaks of marriage, but the context clearly shows that they are mistaken. The word that Paul makes use of means — to be connected together in drawing the same yoke. It is a metaphor taken from oxen or horses, which require to walk at the same pace, and to act together in the same work, when fastened under one yoke. 1505 When, therefore, he for her amiable and pious dispositions, in which she has no rival among the feathered race. Her kind benevolent temper she discovers in feeding her parents in the time of incubation, when they have not leisure to seek their food, or when they have become old, and unable to provide for themselves.'' The English word stork is derived from {στοργὴ}, affection, while the Hebrew name for this animal, {,{( חסידהchasidah,) is derived from {( }חסדchesed,) beneficence, because, says Bythner, ``the stork nourishes, supports, and carries on its back, when weary, its aged parents.'' See Calvin on the Psalms, vol. ,4 p. ,158 n. 2 Calvin, when commenting on 1Timothy ,5:4 says, ``Ips' quoque ciconi' gratitudinem suo exemplo nos docent. Unde et nomen }ἀντιπελαργία};'' --- ``The very storks, too, teach us gratitude by their example. Hence the term {ἀντιπελαργία} --- affection in return.'' --- Ed.
1501The rendering of the Vulgate — "Eandem remunerationem habentes;" — "Having the same reward," — is followed by. Wiclif, (1380,) ye that haw the same reward and also in the Rheims version, (1582,) hauing the same reward. — Ed.
1502"Parlant comme en puissance et authorite de pere;" — "Speaking as with the power and authority of a father."
1503See vol. 1, p. 282. 1504"Aux infideles;" — "To unbelievers." 1505"Joachim Camerarius, in his Commentary on the New Testament, (Cambridge 1642,)