Commentary on the Epistles to the Corinthians John Calvin
John Calvin he is willing to be esteemed and recognised, not in himself merely, but also in his members. Hence the same Apostle says elsewhere, (Ephesians 1:23,) that the Church is his completion, 751 as though he would, if separated from his members, be incomplete. And certainly, as Augustine elegantly expresses himself in one part of his writings —
"Since we are in Christ a fruit-bearing vine, what are we out of him but dry twigs?" (John 15:4.)
In this, then, our consolation lies — that, as he and the Father are one, so we are one with him. Hence it is that his name is applied to us.
13. For we are all baptized by one Spirit. Here there is a proof brought forward from the effect of baptism. "We* are," says he, "engrafted* by baptism into Christ's body, so that we are by a mutual link bound together as members, and live one and the same life. Hence every one, that would remain in the Church of Christ, must necessarily cultivate this fellowship." He speaks, however, of the baptism of believers, which is efficacious through the grace of the Spirit, for, in the case of many, baptism is merely in the letter — the symbol without the reality; but believers, along with the sacrament, receive the reality. Hence, with respect to God, this invariably holds good — that baptism is an engrafting into the body of Christ, for God in that ordinance does not represent anything but what he is prepared to accomplish, provided we are on our part capable of it. The Apostle, also, observes here a most admirable medium, in teaching that the nature of baptism is — to connect us with Christ's body. Lest any one, however, should imagine, that this is effected by the outward symbol, he adds that it is the work of the Holy Spirit.
Whether Jews or Greeks. He specifies these instances, to intimate, that no diversity of condition obstructs that holy unity which he recommends. This clause, too, is added suitably and appropriately, for envy might at that time arise from two sources — because the Jews were not willing that the Gentiles should be put upon a level with them; and, where one had some excellence above others, with the view of maintaining his superiority, lie withdrew himself to a distance from his brethren.
We have all drunk in one Spirit. It is literally, "We have drunk into one Spirit," but it would seem that, in order that the two words {ἐν} (in) and {ἑν} (one) might not immediately follow each other, Paul intentionally changed {ἐν} (in) into {ἐις} (into,) as he is accustomed frequently to do. Hence his meaning seems rather to be, that we are made to drink through the influence, as he had said before, of the Spirit of Christ, than that we have drunk into the same Spirit. It is uncertain, however, whether he speaks here of Baptism or of the Supper. I am rather inclined, however, to understand him as referring to the Supper, as he makes mention of drinking, for
751Calvin, along with some other interpreters, understands the term, {πλήρωμα}, (fullness,) in the passage referred to, in an active sense. Theophylact observes that the Church is the {Πλήρωμα} --- completion of Christ, as the body and limbs are of the head. The term may, however, be taken in a passive sense, as meaning a thing to be filled or completed. --- Ed