Commentary on the Epistles to the Corinthians John Calvin
John Calvin their names when falsely assumed. 1814 For the false Apostles abused this pretext, that they had been in the company of the twelve — that they were in possession of all their views 1815 — that they were fully acquainted with all their institutions, and the like. Hence Paul, perceiving that they falsely gloried in these masks and counterfeit titles, and were successful, to some extent, among unlearned persons, 1816 reckoned it necessary to enter upon a comparison of that nature. 1817
The correction that he adds — though I am nothing, means, that Paul was not disposed to claim any thing as his own, but simply gloried in the Lord, (2 Corinthians 10:17,) unless, perhaps, you prefer to consider this as a concession, in which he makes mention of what is thrown out against him by adversaries and slanderers. 1818
12. The signs of an Apostle By the signs of an Apostle he means — the seals, that tend to confirm the evidence of his Apostleship, or, at least, for the proofs and evidences of it. "God has confirmed my Apostleship among you to such a degree, that it stands in no need of proof being adduced." The first sign he makes mention of is patience — either because he had remained invincible, 1819 by nobly withstanding all the assaults of Satan and his enemies, and on no occasion giving way; or because, regardless of his own distinction, he suffered all injuries patiently, endured in silence countless grievances, 1820 and, by patience, overcame indignities. 1821 For a virtue so heroic is, as it were, a heavenly seal, by which the Lord marks out his Apostles.
He assigns the second place to miracles, for while he makes mention of signs and wonders and mighty deeds, he makes use of three terms, as he does elsewhere, (2 Thessalonians 2:9,) for expressing one and the same thing. Now he calls them signs, because they are not empty shows, but are appointed for the instruction of mankind — wonders, because they ought, by their novelty, to arouse men, and strike them with astonishment — and powers or mighty deeds, because they are more signal tokens of Divine power, 1822 than what we behold in the ordinary course of nature. Farther, we know that this was
1814"Faussement vsurpez et controuuez;" — "When falsely claimed and counterfeited." 1815"Qu'ils entendoyent bien toute leur intention;" — "That they understood well their entire design."
1816"Et par ce moyen ils acqueroyent credit enuers les simples et idiots" — "And by this means they gained credit among the simple and unlearned."
1817"Ne pouuoit faire autrement qu'il ne veinst a faire ceste comparaison de soy et des plus excellens Apostres;" — "Could not do otherwise than enter upon this comparison between himself and the most eminent of the Apostles."
1818"Ce que les malueillans et detracteurs gazouilloyent de luy;" — "What malevolent persons and slanderers chirped respecting him."
1819"Il a tousiours demure inuincible, et ferme sans se reculer;" — "He has always remained invincible and firm, without shrinking back."
1820"Il a laisse passer beaucoup de fascheries sans en faire semblant de rien;" — "He has allowed many grievances to pass, without seeming to take any notice of them."
1821"Beaucoup de lasches tours;" — "Many base tricks." 1822"Ce sont exemples et tesmoignages plus excellent et euidens de la vertu Diuine;" — "Those are signal and manifest instances and evidences of Divine power."