Commentary on the Epistles to the Corinthians John Calvin (continued)
Commentary on the Corinthians in Scripture means a lawful mode of life, for it has a relation to God as calling us, 407 — lest any one should abuse this statement 408 to justify modes of life that are evidently wicked or vicious. But here it is asked, whether Paul means to establish any obligation, 409 for it might seem as though the words conveyed this idea, that every one is bound to his calling, so that he must not abandon it. Now it were a very hard thing if a tailor 410 were not at liberty to learn another trade, or if a merchant were not at liberty to betake himself to farming. I answer, that this is not what the Apostle intends, for he has it simply in view to correct that inconsiderate eagerness, which prompts some to change their condition without any proper reason, whether they do it from superstition, or from any other motive. Farther, he calls every one to this rule also — that they bear in mind what is suitable to their calling He does not, therefore, impose upon any one the necessity of continuing in the kind of life which he has once taken up, but rather condemns that restlessness, which prevents an individual from remaining in his condition with a peaceable mind 411 and he exhorts, that every one stick by his trade, as the old proverb goes.
21. Art thou called being a servant? We see here that Paul's object 412 is to satisfy their consciences; for he exhorts servants to be of good cheer, and not be cast down, as if servitude were a hinderance in the way of their serving God. Care not for it then, that is to say, be not concerned how you may throw off the yoke, as if it were a condition unbecoming a Christian, but be contented in mind. And hence we infer, not merely that it is owing to the providence of God that there are different ranks and stations in the world, but also, that a regard to them is enjoined by his word.
But if thou mayest even be made free The particle even (in my opinion) has simply this force, — "If, in place of servitude, you could attain even to liberty, it would be more advantageous for you." It is uncertain, however, whether he continues his discourse to servants, or turns to address those that are free. In the latter case, {γενέσθαι} would here mean simply to be Either meaning suits sufficiently well, and they amount to the same thing. He means to intimate, that liberty is not merely good, but also more advantageous than servitude. If he is speaking to servants, his meaning will be this — While I exhort you to be free from anxiety, I do not hinder you from even availing yourselves of liberty, if an opportunity presents itself to you. If he is addressing himself to those that are free, it will be a kind of concession, as though he had said — I exhort servants to be of good courage, though a
407"Car d'autant que ce nom vient d'vn mot qui signifie Appeler, il ha vne correspondance mutuelle a Dieu, qui nous appelle a ceci ou a cela;" — "For as this term comes from a word which signifies to call, it has a mutual relationship to God, who calls us to this or that."
408"Ceque ie di, afinque nul n'abuse ceste sentence;" — "Which thing I say, in order that no one may abuse this statement."
409"Vne obligation et necessite;" — "An obligation and necessity." 410"Vn cordonnier;" — "A shoemaker." 411"Paisiblement, et en repos de conscience;" — "Peaceably, and with quiet of conscience." 412"Tout le but a quoy tend Sainct Paul;" — "The whole object at which St. Paul aims."