Commentary on the Epistles to the Corinthians John Calvin
Commentary on the Corinthians false doctrine. The third is, defrauding or cheating in worldly goods. These are three things by which, for the most part, pastors 1527 are wont to alienate the minds of the people from them — when they conduct themselves in an overbearing manner, and, making their authority their pretext, break forth into tyrannical cruelty or unreasonableness, — or when they draw aside from the right path those to whom they ought to have been guides, and infect them with the corruption of false doctrine, — or when they manifest an insatiable covetousness, by eagerly desiring what belongs to another. Should any one wish to have it in shorter compass-the first is, fierceness and an abuse of power by excessive insolence 1528 the second, unfaithfulness in teaching. the third, avarice.
3. I say not this to condemn you. As the foregoing apology was a sort of expostulation, and we can scarcely avoid reproaching when we expostulate, he softens on this account what he had said. "I clear myself," says he, "in such a way as to be desirous to avoid, what would tend to your dishonor." The Corinthians, it is true, were unkind, and they deserved that, on Paul's being acquitted from blame, they should be substituted in his place as the guilty party; nay more, that they should be held guilty in two respects — in respect of ingratitude, and on the ground of their having calumniated the innocent. Such, however, is the Apostle's moderation, that he refrains from recrimination, contenting himself with standing simply on the defensive.
For I have before said. Those that love do not assail; 1529 nay more, if any fault has been committed, they either cover it over by taking no notice of it, or soften it by kindness. For a disposition to reproach is a sign of hatred. Hence Paul, with the view of showing that he has no inclination to distress the Corinthians, declares his affection towards them. At the same time, he undoubtedly in a manner condemns them, while he says that he does not do so. As, however, there is a great difference between gall and vinegar, so there is also between that condemnation, by which we harass a man in a spirit of hatred, with the view of blasting him with infamy, and, on the other hand, that, by which we endeavor to bring back an offender into the right way, that, along with safety, he may in addition to this regain his honors unimpaired.
Ye are in our hearts — that is, "I carry you about with me inclosed in my heart." To die and live with you — that is, "So that no change can loosen our attachment, for I am prepared not merely to live with you, but also to be associated with you in death, if necessary, and to endure anything rather than renounce your friendship." Mark well, in what manner all pastors. 1530 ought to be affected.
1527"Les ministres et pasteurs;" — "Ministers and pastors." 1528"Quand on est arrogant, et on abuse de la puissance en se desbordant et vsurpant plus qu'il ne faut;" — "When one is presumptuous, and abuses his power by going beyond bounds and assuming more than he ought."
1529"Ceux qui aiment vn autre, ne prenent point plaisir ale poursuyure et picquer;" — "Those who love another take no pleasure in pursuing and stinging him."
1530"Pasteurs et ministres;" — "Pastors and ministers."