Commentary on the Epistles to the Corinthians John Calvin (continued)
John Calvin in this respect, that, reversing the order of things, those who were sons and followers were desirous to be esteemed honorable and noble, while their father was in obscurity, and was exposed also to all the reproaches of the world.
11. For to this hour. The Apostle here describes his condition, as if in a picture, that the Corinthians may learn, from his example, to lay aside that loftiness of spirit, and embrace, as he did, the cross of Christ with meekness of spirit. He discovers the utmost dexterity in this respect, that in making mention of those things which had rendered him contemptible, he affords clear proof of his singular fidelity and indefatigable zeal for the advancement of the gospel; and, on the other hand, he tacitly reproves his rivals, who, while they had furnished no such proof, were desirous, nevertheless, to be held in the highest esteem. In the words themselves there is no obscurity, except that we must take notice of the distinction between those two participles — {λοιδορουμενοι} {και} {βλασφημουμενοι} (reviled and defamed.) As {λοιδορια} means — that harsher sort of raillery, which does not merely give a person a slight touch, but a sharp bite, and blackens his character by open contumely, there can be no doubt that {λοιδορειν} means — wounding a person with reproach as with a sting. 241 I have accordingly rendered it — harassed with revilings {Βλασφημια} signifies a more open reproach, when any one is severely and atrociously slandered. 242
12. When he says that while persecuted he suffers it, and that he prays for his revilers, he intimates that he is not merely afflicted and abased by God, by means of the cross, but is also endowed with a disposition to abase himself willingly. In this, perhaps, he gives a stroke to the false apostles, who were so effeminate and tender, that they could not bear to be touched even with your little finger. In speaking of their laboring he adds — with our own hands, to express more fully the meanness of his employments 243 — "I do not merely gain a livelihood for myself by my own labor, but by mean labor, working with my own hands."
13. As the execrations of the world. He makes use of two terms, the former of which denotes a man who, by public execrations, is devoted, with the view to the cleansing of a city, 244 for such persons, on the ground of their cleansing the rest of the people, by receiving in themselves whatever there is
241{λοιδορια}, is supposed by Eustathius to be derived from {λογος}, a word, and {δορυ}, a spear A similar figure is employed by the Psalmist, when he speaks of words that are drawn swords (Psalm 55:21.) --- Ed
242"Or le premier signifie non seulement se gaudir d'vn homme, mais aussi toucher son honneur comme en le blasonnant, et le naurer en termes picquans: ce que nous disons communement, Mordre en riant. Le second signifie quand on detracte apertement de quelqu'vn sans vser de couuerture de paroles;" — "Now the first means not simply to make one's self merry at another's expense, but also to touch his reputation, as if with the view of blackening it, and wounding it by cutting expressions, as we commonly say — to give a good humored bite. The second means when persons slander any one openly, without using any disguise of words."
243"Que c'estoit vn mestier ville, et mechanique;" — "That it was a mean and mechanical occupation."
244"Comme c'estoit vne chose qui se faisoit anciennement entre les payens;" — "As this was a thing that was practiced anciently among the heathens."