Commentary on the Epistles to the Corinthians John Calvin (continued)
Chapter
1 Corinthians 12:1-7
1 Corinthians 12:1-7 1. Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant. 1. Porro de spiritualibus, fratres, nolo vos ignorare. 2. Ye know that ye were Gentiles, carried away unto these dumb idols, even as ye were led.
2. Scitis, quum Gentes eratis, qualiter simulacra muta, prout ducebamini, sequuti sitis.
3. Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed; and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost.
3. Quamobrem notum vobis facio, quod nemo in Spiritu Dei loquens, dicit anathema Iesum: et nemo potest dicere Dominum Iesum, nisi per Spiritum sanctum.
4. Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. 4. Divisiones autem donorum sunt, sed unus Spiritus. 5. And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord. 5. Et divisiones ministeriorum aunt, sed unus Dominus. 6. And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all.
6. Et divisiones facultatum sunt, sed Deus unus, qui operatur omnia in omnibus.
7. But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.
7. Unicuique autem datur manifestatio Spiritus ad utilitatem. 1. Now concerning spiritual things. He goes on to correct another fault. As the Corinthians abused the gifts of God for ostentation and show, and love was little, if at all, regarded, he shows them for what purpose believers are adorned by God with spiritual gifts — for the edification of their brethren. This proposition, however, he divides into two parts; for, in the first place, he teaches, that God is the author of those gifts, and, secondly, having established this, he reasons as to their design. He proves from their own experience, that those things in which they gloried, are bestowed upon men through the exercise of God's favor; for he reminds them how ignorant they