Commentary on the Epistles to the Corinthians John Calvin (continued)
Commentary on the Corinthians to have it in readiness. I answer, that his words are not to be understood as though Paul had declared, that what they were to give was already laid aside in the chest, but he simply mentioned what had been resolved upon among them. This involves no blame in respect of fickleness or mistake. It was, then, of this promise that Paul spoke. 1601
3. But I have sent the brethren. He now brings forward the reason — why it is that, while entertaining a favorable opinion as to their willingness, he, nevertheless, sets himself carefully to exhort them. "I consult," says he, "my own good name and yours; for while I promised in your name, we would, both of us in common, incur disgrace, if words and deeds did not correspond. Hence you ought to take my fears in good part."
4. In this confidence The Greek term being {ὑπόστασις} the Old Interpreter has rendered it substantiam, (substance.) 1602 Erasmus renders it argumentum, (subject-matter,) but neither is suitable. Budaeus, however, observes, that this term is sometimes taken to mean boldness, or confidence, as it is used by Polybius when he says, {ὀυχ} {οὑτω} {την} {δύναμιν} {ὡς} {τὴν} {ὑπόστασιν} {καὶ} {τόλμαν} {αὐτοῦ} {καταπεπληγμένον} {τῶν} {εναντίων} — "It was not so much his bodily strength, as his boldness and intrepidity, that proved confounding to the enemy." 1603 Hence {ὑποτατικός} sometimes means one that is bold and confident. 1604 Now every one must see, how well this meaning accords with Paul's thread of discourse. Hence it appears, that other interpreters have, through inadvertency, fallen into a mistake.
5. As a blessing, not in the way of niggardliness In place of blessing, some render it collection. I have preferred, however, to render it literally, as the Greeks employed the term {εὐλογίας} to express the Hebrew word {,{ברכה (beracah,) which is used in the sense of a blessing, that is, an invoking of prosperity, as well as in the sense of beneficence. 1605 The reason I reckon
1601"Le Sainct Apostre donc parloit de ceste promesse des Corinthiens;" — "The holy Apostle, therefore, spoke of this promise of the Corinthians."
1602In Wiclif's version, (1380,) the rendering is, "in this substaunce;" Rheims (1582) has, "in this substance."
1603The expression here quoted from Polybius, (lib. 6: cap. 53, p. 691,) is made use of by the historian in relating a heroic exploit of Publius Horatius Cocles, who, on occasion of a sudden attempt being made upon the city of Rome by Porsena, king of Clusium, the most powerful prince at that time in Italy, having stationed himself, with singular intrepidity, on the Sublician bridge, along with two others, withstood the attack of the enemy, and effectually obstructed their progress, until the bridge was cut down from behind, after which he leaped into the river, and swam across to his friends in safety, amidst the darts of the enemy. In honor of this daring adventure, a statue of Cocles, as is stated by Livy, (2:10,) was placed in the Comitium, and a grant of land was made to him, as much as he could plow round in one day. Raphelius adduces another instance in which Polybius employs {ὑπόστασις} in the same sense --- ``When the Rhodians,'' says he, ``perceive {τὴν} {τῶν} {Βυζαντιῶν} {ὑποστασαι} --- the intrepidity of the Byzantians.'' (Pol. lib. 6: p. 440.) --- Ed
1604The adjective {ὑποστατικός} is used in this sense by Aristotle, Eth. End. ii. 5, 5, and the adverb derived from it, {ὑποστατικῶς}, has a corresponding signification in Polybius, (lib. 5: cap. 16, p. 508, line 1,) {Τοῦ} {δὲ} {βασιλέως} {ὑποστατικῶς} {φήσαντος} ``the king having spoken with firmness.'' --- Ed. 1605"Qui signifie tant benediction, c'est a dire vn souhait ou priere pour la prosperite d'autruy, que beneficence ou liberalite;" — "Which denotes blessing — that is to say, a desire or prayer for the prosperity of another, as well as beneficence, or liberality."