Commentary on the Epistles to the Corinthians John Calvin
John Calvin
In fine, my opinion is this — that the Prophets here spoken of are those who make known the will of God, by applying with dexterity and skill prophecies, threatenings, promises, and the whole doctrine of Scripture, to the present use of the Church. If any one is of a different opinion, I have no objection to his being so, and will not raise any quarrel on that account. For it is difficult to form a judgment as to gifts and offices of which the Church has been so long deprived, excepting only that there are some traces, or shadows of them still to be seen.
As to powers and gift of healings, I have spoken when commenting on the 12th Chapter of the Romans. Only it must be observed that here he makes mention, not so much of the gifts themselves, as of the administration of them. As the Apostle is here enumerating offices, I do not approve of what Chrysostom says, that {ἀντιλήψεις}, that is, helps or aids, consist in supporting the weak. What is it then? Undoubtedly, it is either an office, as well as gift, that was exercised in ancient times, but of which we have at this day no knowledge whatever; or it is connected with the office of Deacon, or in other words, the care of the poor; and this latter idea pleases me better. 770 In Romans 12:7, he makes mention of two kinds of deacons. Of these I have treated when commenting upon that passage.
By Governments I understand Elders, who had the charge of discipline. For the primitive Church had its Senate, 771 for the purpose of keeping the people in propriety of deportment, as Paul shows elsewhere, when he makes mention of two kinds of Presbyters. 772 (1 Timothy 5:17.) Hence government consisted of those Presbyters who excelled others in gravity, experience, and authority.
Under different kinds of tongues he comprehends both the knowledge of languages, and the gift of interpretation. They were, however, two distinct gifts; because in some cases an individual spoke in different languages, and yet did not understand the language of the Church with which he had to do. This defect was supplied by interpreters. 773
29. Are all Apostles? It may indeed have happened, that one individual was endowed with many gifts, and sustained two of the offices which he has enumerated; nor was there in this any inconsistency. Paul's object, however, is to show in the first place, that no one has such a fullness in everything as to have a sufficiency within himself, and not require the aid of others; and secondly, that offices as well as gifts are distributed in such a manner
770This view of the import of the term {ἀντιλήψεις}, (helps,) is generally acquiesced in by modern interpreters. It is remarked by Dr. Dick, (in his Theology, volume iv, p. 390,) that ``there are no persons who may be so reasonably supposed to be meant by helps, as deacons;'' who ``were instituted for the express purpose of helping the Apostles, for the purpose of relieving them from the care of the poor, that they might devote themselves exclusively to the ministry of the word.'' He observes also, (p.389,) that ``it does not follow, because some of the offices and ministrations enumerated in this place were miraculous and extraordinary, that they were all of that description.'' --- Ed
771"Auoit comme son Senate, ou Consistoire;" — "Had its Senate, as it were, or Consistory." 772"Deux ordres de Prestres: c'est a dire d'Anciens;" — "Two kinds of Presbyters: that is to say, Elders."
773Our Author repeats here what he had stated when commenting on verse 10th. — Ed.