Commentary on the Epistles to the Corinthians John Calvin (continued)
Commentary on the Corinthians distributes them among us, in order that we may make all contribute to the common advantage. To no one does he give all, lest any one, satisfied with his particular portion, should separate himself from others, and live solely for himself. The same idea is intended in the adverb severally, as it is of great importance to understand accurately that diversity by which God unites us mutually to one another. 746 Now, when will is ascribed to the Spirit, and that, too, in connection with power, we may conclude from this, that the Spirit is truly and properly God.
12. For as the body is one He now derives a similitude from the human body, which he makes use of also in Romans 12:4; but it is for a different purpose, as I have already stated above. In that passage, he exhorts every one to be satisfied with his own calling, and not to invade another's territory; as ambition, curiosity, or some other disposition, induces many to take in hand more than is expedient. Here, however, he exhorts believers to cleave to each other in a mutual distribution of gifts, as they were not conferred upon them by God that every one should enjoy his own separately, but that one should help another. It is usual, however, for any society of men, or congregation, to be called a body, as one city constitutes a body, and so, in like manner, one senate, and one people. Monenius Agrippa, 747 too, in ancient times, when desirous to conciliate the Roman people, when at variance with the senate, made use of an apologue, not very unlike the doctrine of Paul here. 748 Among Christians, however, the case is very different; for they do not constitute a mere political body, but are the spiritual and mystical body of Christ, as Paul himself afterwards adds. (1 Corinthians 12:27.) The meaning therefore is — "Though the members of the body are various, and have different functions, they are, nevertheless, linked together in such a manner that they coalesce in one. 749 We, accordingly, who are members of Christ, although we are endowed with various gifts, ought, notwithstanding, to have an eye to that connection which we have in Christ."
So also is Christ The name of Christ is used here instead of the Church, because the similitude was intended to apply not to God's only-begotten Son, but to us. It is a passage that is full of choice consolation, inasmuch as he calls the Church Christ; for Christ 750 confers upon us this honor — that
746"Par laquelle Dieu nou conioint et oblige mutuellement les uns aux autres;" — "By which God connects and binds us mutually to one another."
747Menenius Agrippa, a Roman consul, on occasion of a rebellion breaking out among the common people against the nobles and senators, whom they represented as useless and cumbersome to the state, was successful in quelling the insurrection, by a happy use of the apologue referred to, founded on the intimate connection and mutual dependence of the different parts of the body. The reader will find this interesting incident related by Livy, Book 2. chapter 32. — Ed.
748"En remonstrant que les membres du corps ayans conspire contre le ventre, et se voulans separer d'auec luy s'en trouuerent mal les premiers;" — "By showing that the members of the body, having conspired against the belly, and wishing to separate from it, were the first to experience the bad effects of this."
749"Ils prenent nourriture et accroissement l'un auec l'autre;" — "They take nourishment and increase, one with another."
750"Ce bon Seigneur Iesus;" — "This good Lord Jesus."