Commentary on the Epistles to the Corinthians John Calvin
Chapter 1
COMMENTARY ON THE
FIRST EPISTLE TO THE CORINTHIANS CHAPTER 1
1 Corinthians 1:1-3
1 Corinthians 1:1-3 1. Paul, called to be an apostle of Jesus Christ through the will of God, and Sosthenes our brother,
1. Paulus, vocatus apostolus Jesu Christi per voluntatem Dei, et Sosthenes frater,
2. Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours:
2. Ecclesiae Dei quae est Corinthi, sanctificatis in Christo Jesu, vocatis sanctis, una cum omnibus qui invocant nomen Domini nostri Jesu Christi in quovis loco tam sui quam nostri: 35
3. Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.
3. Gratia vobis et pax a Deo Patre nostro, et Domino Jesu Christi. 1. Paul, called to be an Apostle In this manner does Paul proceed, in almost all the introductions to his Epistles, with the view of procuring for his doctrine authority and favor. The former he secures to himself from the station that had been assigned to him by God, as being an Apostle of Christ sent by God; the latter by testifying his affection towards those to whom he writes. We believe much more readily the man whom we look upon as regarding us with affection, and as faithfully endeavoring to promote our welfare. In this salutation, therefore, he claims for himself authority, when he speaks of himself as an Apostle of Christ, and that, too, as called by God, that is, set apart by the will of God Now, two things are requisite in any one that would be listened to in the Church, and would occupy the place of a teacher; for he must be called by God to that office, and he must faithfully employ himself in the discharge of its duties. Paul here lays claim to both. For the name, Apostle, implies that the individual conscientiously acts the part of an ambassador for Christ (2 Corinthians 5:19), and proclaims the 35"Le leur et le nostre," ou, "le Seigneur (di-ie) et de eux et de nous;" — "Both theirs and ours," or, "the Lord (I say) both of them and of us."