Commentary on the Epistles to the Corinthians John Calvin (continued)
Commentary on the Corinthians consecrate to him our whole body and all its members, that no impurity may be seen in any part of us." 1520
Now if we consider what is the point that he handles, we shall readily perceive, that those act with excessive impudence, 1521 who excuse outward idolatry on I know not what pretexts. 1522 For as inward impiety, and superstition, of whatever kind, is a defilement of the spirit, what will they understand by defilement of the flesh, but an outward profession of impiety, whether it be pretended, or uttered from the heart? They boast of a pure conscience; that, indeed, is on false grounds, but granting them what they falsely boast of, they have only the half of what Paul requires from believers. Hence they have no ground to think, that they have given satisfaction to God by that half; for let a person show any appearance of idolatry at all, or any indication of it, or take part in wicked or superstitious rites, even though he were — what he cannot be — perfectly upright in his own mind, he would, nevertheless, not be exempt from the guilt of polluting his body.
Perfecting holiness. As the verb {ἐπιτελεῖν} in Greek sometimes means, to perfect, and sometimes to perform sacred rites, 1523 it is elegantly made use of here by Paul in the former signification, which is the more frequent one — in such a way, however, as to allude to sanctification, of which he is now treating. For while it denotes perfection, it seems to have been intentionally transferred to sacred offices, because there ought to be nothing defective in the service of God, but everything complete. Hence, in order that you may sanctify yourself to God aright, you must dedicate both body and soul entirely to him.
In the fear of God. For if the fear of God influences us, we will not be so much disposed to indulge ourselves, nor will there be a bursting forth of that audacity of wantonness, which showed itself among the Corinthians. For how does it happen, that many delight themselves so much in outward idolatry, and haughtily defend so gross a vice, unless it be, that they think that they mock God with impunity? If the fear of God had dominion over them, they would immediately, on the first moment, leave off all cavils, without requiring to be constrained to it by any disputations.
2 Corinthians 7:2-7
2 Corinthians 7:2-7 2. Receive us; we have wronged no man, we have corrupted no man, we
1520"Afin qu'il n'apparoisse en nul endroit de nous ancune macule ou souillure;" — "That there may not appear in any part of us any spot or filth."
1521"Combien sont impudens et deshontez;" — "How impudent they are and unabashed." 1522Calvin manifestly refers here, as in a variety of other instances, to the temporizing conduct of the Nicodemites. See Calvin on the Corinthians, vol. 1, pp. 286, 384. — Ed.
1523It is employed by Herodotus in the sense of perfecting or completing, (see Herod. 1:51,) while in various instances it is made use of by him to mean — discharging a religious service — in connection with {θρησκείας}, (ceremonies,) {εὐχωλας}, (vows,) and {θυσίας}, (sacrifices.) See Herod. 2:37, 63, 4:26. --- Ed.