Commentary on the Epistles to the Corinthians John Calvin
Commentary on the Corinthians by their frenzy, that no one can give alms with a quiet conscience. Hence we must carefully observe Paul's ({ἐπιείκεια}) mildness, 1569 and moderation, in stating that our alms are well-pleasing to God, when we relieve the necessity of our brethren from our abundance — not in such a way that they are at ease, and we are in want, but so that we may, from what belongs to us, distribute, so far as our resources allow, and that with a cheerful mind. 1570
By an equality Equality may be taken in two senses, either as meaning a mutual compensation, when like is given for like, or, as meaning a proper adjustment. I understand {ἰσότητα} simply as meaning — an equality of proportional right, 1571 as Aristotle terms it. 1572 In this signification it is made use of, also, in Colossians 4:1, where he exhorts "masters to give to their servants what is equal." He certainly does not mean, that they should be equal in condition and station, but by this term he expresses that humanity and clemency, and kind treatment, which masters, in their turn, owe to their servants. Thus the Lord recommends to us a proportion of this nature, that we may, in so far as every one's resources admit, afford help to the indigent, that there may not be some in affluence, and others in indigence. Hence he adds — at the present time. At that time, indeed, necessity pressed upon them. Hence we are admonished that, in exercising beneficence, we must provide for the present necessity, if we would observe the true rule of equity.
14. And their abundance It is uncertain, what sort of abundance he means. Some interpret it as meaning, that this had been the case, inasmuch as the Gospel had flowed out to them from the Church at Jerusalem, from which source they had, in their penury, been assisted by their spiritual riches. This, I think, is foreign to Paul's intention. It ought rather, in my opinion, to be applied to the communion of saints, which means, that whatever duty is discharged to one member, redounds to the advantage of the entire body. "If it is irksome to you to help your brethren with riches that are of no value, consider how many blessings you are destitute of, and these too, far all things common. "Verum sana expositione indiget hic locus propter spiritus fanaticos, qui bonorum {κοινωνίαν} fingunt, qua omnis politia evertatur;'' --- ``This passage, however, requires to be soundly interpreted --- for the sake of those fanatical spirits, who pretend ({κοινωνίαν}) --- a community of goods, by which all civil government is overturned.'' --- Ed.
1569Beza, when commenting on 2 Corinthians 10:1, observes, that {ἐπιεικείας} means ``an inclination to clemency and mercy, as opposed to a disposition to follow out to the utmost one's just right.'' ``Aristotle,'' he remarks, ``contrasts {τὸ} {ἐπιεικες}, (mildness,) with {τῷ} {ἀκριβοδικαίῳ}, (rigorous justice,) and Hermogenes contrasts it with {τῷ} {βιαίῳ} (violence.)'' --- Ed.
1570"Et ce d'vne gayete de coeur et franc courage;" — "And that with cheerfulness of heart and frank courage."
1571"C'est a dire qui est compassee par proportion selon des qualitez des personnes et autres circounstances;" — "That is to say, which is regulated proportionally according to the stations of individuals, and other circumstances."
1572"Quaerenda omnino {ἰσότης} est, sed analogica qualis est membrorum in corpore humano, qua quidem non omnia in eodem pretio et dignitate habentur, sed omnia tamen, quae ornamento vel integumento indigent, ornantur et teguntur;'' --- ``Equality must by all means be aimed at, but proportional, such as subsists among the members of the human body, according to which they are not, indeed, all held in the same estimation and dignity, but all of them notwithstanding, that require ornament or clothing, are adorned and clothed.'' --- Heideggerus. --- Ed.