Commentary on the Epistles to the Corinthians John Calvin
Commentary on the Corinthians steadfastness of Paul, who, while he saw himself to be dealt with by God in this manner, was nevertheless not broken or dispirited. For he does not impute it to the wantonness of the wicked, that he was, as it were, led forth with ignominy to the sport of the arena, but ascribes it wholly to the providence of God.
The second clause to angels and to men, I take to be expository in this sense — "I am made a sport and spectacle, not merely to earth, but also to heaven." This passage has been commonly explained as referring to devils, from its seeming to be absurd to refer it to good angels. Paul, however, does not mean, that all who are witnesses of this calamity are gratified with such a spectacle He simply means, that the Lord has so ordered his lot that he seems as though he had been appointed to furnish sport to the whole world.
10. We are fools for Christ's sake This contrast is throughout ironical, and exceedingly pointed, it being unseemly and absurd that the Corinthians should be in every respect happy and honorable, according to the flesh, while in the meantime they beheld their master and father afflicted with the lowest ignominy, and with miseries of every kind. For those who are of opinion that Paul abases himself in this manner, in order that he may in earnestness ascribe to the Corinthians those things which he acknowledges himself to be in want of, may without any difficulty be refuted from the little clause that he afterwards subjoins. In speaking, therefore, of the Corinthians as wise in Christ, and strong, and honorable, he makes a concession ironically, as though he had said 237 — "You desire, along with the gospel, to retain commendation for wisdom, 238 whereas I have not been able to preach Christ otherwise than by becoming a fool in this world. Now when I have willingly, on your account, submitted to be a fool, or to be reckoned such, consider whether it be reasonable that you should wish to be esteemed wise. How in these things consort — that I who have been your master, am a fool for Christ's sake, and you, on the other hand, remain wise!" In this way, being wise in Christ is not taken here in a good sense, for he derides the
Corinthians for wishing to mix up together Christ and the wisdom of the flesh, inasmuch as this were to endeavor to unite things directly contrary.
The case is the same as to the subsequent clauses — "You are strong says he, and honorable, that is, you glory in the riches and resources of the world, you cannot endure the ignominy of the cross. In the meantime, is it reasonable that I should be on your account 239 mean and contemptible, and exposed to many infirmities? Now the complaint carries with it so much the more reproach 240 on this account, that even among themselves he was weak and contemptible. (2 Corinthians 10:10.) In fine, he derides their vanity
237"C'est une concession ironique, c'est a dire, qu'il accorde ce dont ils se vantoyent, mais c'est par mocquerie, comme s'il disoit;" — "It is an ironical concession; that is to say — he grants what they boast of, but it is in mockery, as though he had said."
238"En faisant profession de l'Euangile, vous voulez auec cela estre estimez prudens;" — "In making a profession of the gospel, you wish, along with that, to be esteemed wise."
239"Pour l'amour de vous;" — "From love to you." 240"Est d'autant plus picquante, et aigre;" — "Is so much the more cutting and severe."