Commentary on the Epistles to the Corinthians John Calvin (continued)
John Calvin whenever there is occasion for it, he will be prepared, after Paul's example, to exult with a holy triumph, in opposition to pretenders 1758 and worthless persons, provided he has an eye to Christ, not to himself — for nothing but pride or ambition could corrupt and tarnish all these praises. For the main thing is — that we serve Christ with a pure conscience. All other things are, as it were, additional.
28. Besides those things that are without "Besides those things," says he, "which come upon me from all sides, and are as it were extraordinary, what estimate must be formed of that ordinary burden that constantly presses upon me — the care that I have of all the Churches." The care of all the Churches he appropriately calls his ordinary burden. For I have taken the liberty of rendering {ἐπισύστασιν} in this way, as it sometimes means — whatever presses upon us. 1759
Whoever is concerned in good earnest as to the Church of God, stirs up himself and bears a heavy burden, which presses upon his shoulders. What a picture we have here of a complete minister, embracing in his anxieties and aims not one Church merely, or ten, or thirty, but all of them together, so that he instructs some, confirms others, exhorts others, gives counsel to some, and applies a remedy to the diseases of others! Now from Paul's words we may infer, that no one can have a heartfelt concern for the Churches, without being harassed with many difficulties; for the government of the Church is no pleasant occupation, in which we may exercise ourselves agreeably and with delight of heart, 1760 but a hard and severe warfare, as has been previously mentioned, (2 Corinthians 10:4,) — Satan from time to time giving us as much trouble as he can, and leaving no stone unturned to annoy us.
29. Who is weak. How many there are that allow all offenses to pass by unheeded — who either despise the infirmities of brethren, or trample them under foot! This, however, arises from their having no concern for the Church. For concern, undoubtedly, produces {συμπάθειαν} (sympathy,) 1761 which leads the Minister of Christ to participate in the feelings of all, 1762 and put himself in the place of all, that he may suit himself to all.
1758"Des mercenaires;". — "Hirelings." 1759The word ({ἐπισύστασις}) is translated or rather paraphrased by Beza as follows: ``Agmen illud in me consurgens;'' --- ``That troop which rises up together against me.'' He adds by way of explanation: ``Certum est enim {ἐπισύστασιν} dici multitudinem quae adversus aliquem coierit, idque non semel, sed repetitis vicibus. Quia igitur multiplices erant curae, quarum tanquam agmine magis ac magis veluti obruebatur, Apostolus usus est translatitie hoc vocabulo, admodum significanter;'' --- ``For it is certain that {ἐπισύστασιν} denotes a multitude that has come together against any one, and that not once merely, but in repeated instances. As, therefore, there were manifold cares, by which rushing upon him like a troop, more and more, he was in a manner overwhelmed, the Apostle, by way of metaphor, made use of this term very significantly.'' Raphelius considers the term to be synonymous with an expression made use of by Cicero: ``concursus occupationum;'' --- ``a crowding together of engagements.'' --- (Cic. Fam. 7:33.) --- Ed.
1760"Car le gouernement de l'Eglise n'est pas vne occupation ioyeuse pour nous exercer tout doucement, et par manicrc de passe-temps et exercice gracieux pour recreer nos esprits;" — "For the government of the Church is not a pleasant occupation for exercising ourselves quite agreeably, and by way of pass-time, and an agreeable exercise for refreshing our minds."
1761See Calvin's Harmony, vol. 2, p. 232. 1762"Prend en soy les afflictions de tous;" — "Take upon himself the afflictions of all."