Commentary on the Epistles to the Corinthians John Calvin (continued)
Commentary on the Corinthians
(Philippians 2:6.)
We are weak in him. To be weak in Christ means here to be a partaker of Christ's weakness. Thus he makes his own weakness glorious, because in it he is conformed to Christ, and he no longer shrinks back from the disgrace, that he has in common with the Son of God; but, in the mean time, he says that he will live towards them after Christ's example. "I also," says he, "will be a partaker of Christ's life, after I shall have been exempted from weakness." 1847 To weakness he opposes life, and, accordingly, he understands by this term a condition that is flourishing, and full of honor. 1848 The clause towards you may also be taken in connection with the power of God, but it is of no importance, as the meaning always remains the same — that the Corinthians, when they began to judge aright, would have respectful and honorable views of the power of God, which was in Paul, and would no longer despise outward infirmity.
2 Corinthians 13:5-9
2 Corinthians 13:5-9 5. Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?
5. Vosmet iposo tentate, num sitis in fide: vos ipsos probate. Annon cognoscitis vosmet ipsos, quod Iesus Christus in vobis est, nisi si cubi reprobi estis?
6. But I trust that ye shall know that we are not reprobates. 6. At spero vos cognituros, quod nos non simus reprobi. 7. Now I pray to God that ye do no evil; not that we should appear approved, but that ye should do that which is honest, though we be as reprobates.
7. Opto autem apud Deum, ne quid male faciatis; non quo nos probati appareamus, sed ut vos quod honestum est faciatis, nos vero veluti reprobi sumus.
8. For we can do nothing against the truth, but for the truth. 8. Non enim possumus quicquam adversus veritatem, sed pro veritate. 9. For we are glad, when we are weak, and ye are strong: and this also we wish, even your perfection.
9. Gaudemus enim, quum nos infirmi fuerimus, vos autem validi fueritis: hoc vero etiam optamus, vestram integritatem.
5. Try yourselves. He confirms, what he had stated previously — that Christ's power showed itself openly in his ministry. For he makes them the judges of this matter, provided they descend, as it were, into themselves,
1847"Apres que mon infirmite aura comme fait son temps;" — "After my weakness shall have, as it were, served its time."
1848"Ascauoir quand vn homme est en estime et reputation;" — "That is, when a man is held in esteem and reputation."