Commentary on the Epistles to the Corinthians John Calvin
John Calvin moderation, nor equableness of temper, but criminal cowardice. 1643
Who account of us. Erasmus renders it — "Those who think that we walk, as it were, according to the flesh." The Old Interpreter came nearer, in my opinion, to Paul's true meaning — "Qui nos arbitrantur, tanquam secundum carnem ambulemus;" — ("Those who think of us as though we walked according to the flesh;" 1644 ) though, at the same time, the phrase is not exactly in accordance with the Latin idiom, nor does it altogether bring out the Apostle's full meaning. For {λογιζεσθαι} is taken here to mean — reckoning or esteeming. 1645 "They think of us," says Paul, "or they take this view of us, as though we walked according to the flesh."
To walk according to the flesh, Chrysostom explains to mean — acting unfaithfully, or conducting one's self improperly in his office; 1646 and, certainly, it is taken in this sense in various instances in Paul's writings. The term flesh, however, I rather understand to mean — outward pomp or show, by which alone the false Apostles are accustomed to recommend themselves. Paul, therefore, complains of the unreasonableness of those who looked for nothing in him except the flesh, that is, visible appearance, as they speak, or in the usual manner of persons who devote all their efforts to ambition. For as Paul did not by any means excel in such endowments, as ordinarily procure praise or reputation among the children of this world, (Luke 16:8,) he was despised as though he had been one of the common herd. But by whom? 1647 Certainly, by the ambitious, who estimated him from mere appearance, while they paid no regard to what lay concealed within.
3. For though we walk in the flesh. Walking in the flesh means here — living it the world; or, as he expresses it elsewhere, being at home in the body. (2 Corinthians 5:6.) For he was shut up in the prison of his body. This, however, did not prevent the influence of the Holy Spirit from showing itself marvelously in his weakness. There is here again a kind of concession, which, at the same time, is of no service to his adversaries.
Those war according to the flesh, who attempt nothing but in dependence upon worldly resources, in which alone, too, they glory. They have not their
1643"Couardice ou nonchalance;" — "Cowardice or indifference." 1644Wiclif (1380) renders it: "that demen" (i.e., judge) "us as if we wandren aftir the fleisch." Tyndale (1534,) Cranmer (1539,) and Geneva (1557,) read as follows: "which repute us as though we walked carnally." Rheims (1582) — "which thinke us as though we walke according to the flesh." — Ed.
1645"The sense is, 'I entreat, I say, that I may not have to be bold when I am present, with that confidence, wherewith I intend to be bold against certain, who regard me as walking after the flesh,' i.e., guided by worldly principles. There seems to be a paraniomasia in {λογίζομαι} and {λογιζομένους}, which, if introduced into English, may perhaps be best expressed by reckon.'' --- Bloomfield. --- Ed.
1646"Nec satis recte (ut opinor) Chrysostomus {κατὰ} {σάρκα} perinde exposuit, acsi accusaretur Apostolus eo nomine quod Spiritu Dei non duceretur, sed pravis carnis affectibus;'' --- ``Nor is it altogether with propriety, in my opinion, that Chrysostom has explained {κατὰ} {σάρκα}, as if the Apostle were accused on this ground --- that he was not led by the Spirit of God, but by the depraved affections of the flesh.'' --- Beza --- Ed.
1647"Mais qui estoyent ceux qui le mesprisoyent ainsi?" — "But who are those that despised him thus?"