Commentary on the Epistles to the Corinthians John Calvin
Commentary on the Corinthians
There remains another question of greater difficulty: As Christ forbids us to call any one father upon earth, because we have one Father in heaven, (Matthew 23:9,) how does Paul dare to take to himself the name of father? I answer, that, properly speaking, God alone is the Father, not merely of our soul, but also of our flesh. As, however, in so far as concerns the body, he communicates the honor of his paternal name to those to whom he gives offspring, while, as to souls, he reserves to himself exclusively the right and title of Father, I confess that, on this account, he is called in a peculiar sense the Father of spirits, and is distinguished from earthly fathers, as the Apostle speaks in
Hebrews 12:9. As, however, notwithstanding that it is he alone who, by his own influence, begets souls, and regenerates and quickens them, he makes use of the ministry of his servants for this purpose, there is no harm in their being called fathers, in respect of this ministry, as this does not in any degree detract from the honor of God. The word, as I have said, is the spiritual seed. God alone by means of it regenerates our souls by his influence, but, at the same time, he does not exclude the efforts of ministers. If, therefore, you attentively consider, what God accomplishes by himself, and what he designs to be accomplished by ministers, you will easily understand in what sense he alone is worthy of the name of Father, and how far this name is applicable to his ministers, without any infringement upon his rights.
1 Corinthians 4:16-21
1 Corinthians 4:16-21 16. Wherefore I beseech you, be ye followers of me. 16. Adhortor ergo vos, imitatores mei estote. 17. For this cause have I sent unto you Timotheus, who is my beloved son, and faithful in the Lord, who shall bring you into remembrance of my ways which be in Christ, as I teach every where in every church.
17. Hac de causa misi ad vos Timotheum, qui est filius meus dilectus et fidelis in Domino: qui vobis in memoriam reducat vias meas, quae sunt in Christo, quemadmodum ubique in omnibus Ecclesiis doceam.
18. Now some are puffed up, as though I would not come to you. 18. Perinde quasi non sum ad vos venturus, inflati sunt quidam: 19. But I will come to you shortly, if the Lord will, and will know, not the speech of them which are puffed up, but the power.
19. Veniam autem brevi ad vos, si Dominus voluerit, et cognoscam non sermonem eorum qui sunt inflati, sed virtutem.
20. For the kingdom of God is not in word, but in power. 20. Neque enim in sermone regnum Dei est, sed in virtute. 21. What will ye? shall I come unto you with a rod, or in love, and in the spirit of meekness?