Commentary on the Epistles to the Corinthians John Calvin (continued)
John Calvin
1668 Were, however, the mask of the hood laid aside, 1669 and a thorough examination entered upon, their vanity would at once be discovered. Why so? The old proverb holds good: "Ignorance is pert." 1670 But the excessively insolent arrogance of the monks 1671 proceeds chiefly from this — that they measure themselves by themselves; for, as in their cloisters there is nothing but barbarism, 1672 it is not to be wondered, if the man that has but one eye is a king among the blind. Such were Paul's rivals, for inwardly they flattered themselves, not considering what virtues entitled a person to true praise, and how far short they came of the excellence of Paul, and those like him. And, certainly, this single consideration might justly have covered them with shame, but it is the just punishment of the ambitious, that by their silliness they expose themselves to ridicule, (than which there is nothing that they are more desirous to avoid,) and in place of glory, which they are immoderately desirous of, 1673 they incur disgrace.
13. But we will not boast beyond our measure He now contrasts his own moderation with the folly of the false Apostles, 1674 and, at the same time, he shows what is the true measure of glorying — when we keep within the limits that have been marked out for us by the Lord. "Has the Lord given me such a thing? I shall be satisfied with this measure. I shall not either desire or claim to myself any thing more." This he calls the measure of his rule. 1675 For every one's rule, according to which he ought to regulate himself is
1668"The principal places in the public schools of learning were filled very frequently by monks of the mendicant orders. This unhappy circumstance prevented their emerging from that ignorance and darkness which had so long enveloped them; and it also rendered them inaccessible to that auspicious light of improved science, whose salutary beams had already been felt in several of the European provinces. The instructors of youth, dignified with the venerable titles of Artists, Grammarians, Physicians, and Dialecticians, loaded the memories of their laborious pupils with a certain quantity of barbarous terms, arid and senseless distinctions, and scholastic precepts delivered in the most inelegant style, and all such that could repeat this jargon with a certain readiness and rapidity were considered as men of uncommon eloquence and erudition. The whole body of the philosophers extolled Aristotle beyond all measure, while scarcely any studied him, and none understood him." — Mosheim's Ecclesiastical History, (Lond. 1825,) volume 4 — Ed.
1669"Laisser derriere ceste masque de frocs et coqueluches;" — "To leave behind that mask of frocks and cowls."
1670"Our author quotes the same proverb in vol. 1, p. 460; and also when commenting on 1 Timothy 1:7 — Ed.
1671"Ceste arrogance intolerable des moines;" — "This intolerable arrogance of the monks." 1672"Pure barbaric et bestise;" — "Mere barbarism and stupidity." 1673"Laquelle ils appetent par moyens real propres;" — "Which they aim at by improper means."
1674"Il oppose maintenant sa modestie a la sotte outrecuidance des faux apostres;" — "He now contrasts his modesty with the foolish presumption of the false Apostles."
1675"Within the measured and determinate limits of the stadium, the athletae were bound to contend for the prize, which they forfeited without hope of recovery, if they deviated even a little from the appointed course. In allusion to this inviolable arrangement, the Apostle tells the Corinthians: We will not boast of things without our measure, etc. It may help very much to understand this and the following verses, if, with Hammond, we consider the terms used in them as agonistical. In this view of them, the 'measure of the rule' ({τὸ} {μέτρον} {τοῦ} {κανόνος}) alludes to the path marked out, and bounded by a white line, for racers in the Isthmian games, celebrated among the Corinthians; and so the Apostle represents his work in preaching the gospel as his spiritual race, and the province to which he was appointed as the compass or stage of ground, which God had distributed or measured out ({ἐμέρισεν} {αὐτῳ}) for him to run in. Accordingly, `to