Commentary on the Epistles to the Corinthians John Calvin
Commentary on the Corinthians this — God's gift and calling. At the same time, it is not lawful for us to glow in God's gift and calling on our own account, but merely in so far as it is expedient for the glory of him, who is so liberal to us with this view — that we may acknowledge ourselves indebted to him for everything. 1676
A measure to reach. By this clause he intimates, that he stands in no need of commendations expressed in words among the Corinthians, who were a portion of his glow, as he says elsewhere, (Philippians 4:1,) ye are my crown. He carries out, however, the form of expression, which he had previously entered upon. "I have," says he, "a most ample field for glorying, so as not to go beyond my own limits, and you are one department of that field." He modestly reproves, however, their ingratitude, 1677 in overlooking, in a manner, his apostleship, which ought to have been especially in estimation among them, on the ground of God's commendation of it. In each clause, too, we must understand as implied, a contrast between him and the false Apostles, who had no such approbation to show.
14. For we do not overstretch. He alludes to persons who either forcibly stretch out their arms, or raise themselves up on their feet, when wishing to catch hold of what is not at their hand, 1678 for of this nature is a greedy thirst for glory, nay more, it is often more disgusting. For ambitious persons do not merely stretch out their arms and lift up their feet, but are even carried headlong with the view of obtaining some pretext for glorying. 1679
He tacitly intimates that his rivals were of this stamp. He afterwards declares on what ground he had come to the Corinthians — because he had founded their church by his ministry. Hence he says, in the gospel of Christ; for he had not come to them empty, 1680 but had been the first to bring the gospel to them. The preposition in is taken by some in another way; for they render it, by the gospel, and this meaning does not suit ill. At the same time, Paul seems to set off to advantage his coming to the Corinthians, on the ground of his having been furnished with so precious a gift.
15. In the labors of others. He now reproves more freely the false Apostles, who, while they had put forth their hand in the reaping of another boast without his measure,' (2 Corinthians 10:13, {εἰς} {τὰ} {ἄμετρα}) and to `stretch himself beyond his measure,' ({ὑπερεκτείνεσθαι}) refer to one that ran beyond or out of his line. `We are come as far as to you' (2 Corinthians 10:14, {ἄχρι} {ὑμῶν} {ἐφθάσαμεν}) alludes to him that came foremost to the goal; and `in another man's line' (2 Corinthians 10:16, {ἐν} {ἀλλοτρίῳ} {κανόνι}) signifies --- 'in the province that was marked out for somebody else,' in allusion to the line by which the race was bounded, each of the racers having the path which he ought to run chalked out to him, and if one stepped over into the other's path he extended himself over his line.'' --- Paxton's Illustrations (``Manners and Customs,'' volume 2.) --- Ed.
1676"Afin que nons luy facions hommage de tout ce que nons avons, confessans le tenir de luy;" — "That we may make acknowledgment to him as to every thing that we have, confessing that we hold it from him."
1677"Or en parlant ainsi, il taxe (modestement toutesfois) leur ingratitude;" — "But by speaking thus he reproves, (modestly, however,) their ingratitude."
1678"{Εκτείνω} is to extend, to stretch himselfe to the full of his measure: {ὑπερεκτείνω}, to stretch himselfe beyond it, --- to tenter himself far beyond his scantling.'' --- Leigh's Critica Sacra. --- Ed.
1679"Courent a bride auallee, et sont comme transportez a pour chasser quelque couleur de re glorifier;" — "They run with a loose bridle, and are, as it were, hurried forward with the view of obtaining some pretext for glorying."
1680"Vuide ne despourueu;" — "Empty nor unprovided."