{"collection":"chr","html_url":"https://unchartedknowledge.5gfusion.net/browse/chr/calvin/cc39/cc39011.htm","path":"chr/calvin/cc39/cc39011.htm","source_url":"https://sacred-texts.com/chr/calvin/cc39/cc39011.htm","text":"Calvin's Commentaries, Vol. 39: Corinthians, Part I, tr. by John King, [1847-50]\n1. It is reported commonly that there is fornication among you, and such fornication as is not so much named among the Gentiles, that one should have his father\u2019s wife.\n1. Omnino auditur in vobus scortatio, et talis scortatio, quae ne interGentes quidem nominatur, ut quis as uxorem patris habeat.\n2. And ye are puffed up, and have not rather mourned, that he that hath done this deed might be taken away from among you.\n2. Et vos inflati estis, ac non magis luxistis, ut e medio vestri removeretur, qui facinus hoc admisit.\n3. For I verily, as absent in body, but present in spirit, have judged already, as though I were present, concerning him that hath so done this deed,\n3. Ego quidem certe tanquam absens corpore, praesens autem spiritu, jam iudicavi tanquam praesens, qui hoc ita designavit,\n4. In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when ye are gathered together, and my spirit, with the power our Lord Jesus Christ,\n4. In nomine Domini nostri Iesu Christi, congregatis vobis et spiritu meo, cum potentia Domini nostri of Iesu Christi, eiusmodi inquam hominem.\n5. To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.\n5. Tradere Satanae in exitium carnis, ut spiritus salvus fiat in die Domini Iesu.\n1. It is generally reported that there is among you. Those contentions having originated, as has been observed, in presumption and excessive confidence, he most appropriately proceeds to make mention of their diseases, the knowledge of which should have the effect of humbling them. First of all, he shows them what enormous wickedness it is to allow one of their society to have an illicit connection with his mother-in-law. It is not certain, whether he had seduced her from his father as a prostitute, or whether he kept her under pretense of marriage. This, however, does not much affect, the subject in hand; for, as in the former case, there would have been an abominable and execrable whoredom, so the latter would have involved an incestuous connection, abhorrent to all propriety and natural decency. Now, that he may not seem to charge them on doubtful suspicions, he says, that the case which he brings forward is well known and in general circulation. For it is in this sense that I take the particle \u1f45\u03bb\u03c9\u03c2 (generally) as intimating that it was no vague rumor, but a matter well known, and published everywhere so as to cause great scandal.\nFrom his saying that such a kind of whoredom was not named even among the Gentiles, some are of opinion, that he refers to the incest of Reuben, (Ge 35:22,) who, in like manner, had an incestuous connection with his mother-in-law. They are accordingly of opinion, that Paul did not make mention of Israel, because a disgraceful instance of this kind had occurred among them, as if the annals of the Gentiles did not record many incestuous connections of that kind! This, then, is an idea that is quite foreign to Paul\u2019s intention; for in making mention of the Gentiles rather than of the Jews, he designed rather to heighten the aggravation of the crime. \u201cYou,\u201d says he, \u201cpermit, as though it were a lawful thing, an enormity, which would not be tolerated even among the Gentiles \u2014 nay more, has always been regarded by them with horror, and looked upon as a prodigy of crime.\u201d When, therefore, he affirms that it was not named among the Gentiles, he does not mean by this, that no such thing had ever existed among them, or was not recorded in their annals, for even tragedies have been founded upon it; 270 but that it was held in detestation by the Gentiles, as a shameful and abominable monstrosity, for it is a beastly lust, which destroys even natural modesty. Should any one ask, \u201cIs it just to reproach all with the sin of one individual?\u201d I answer, that the Corinthians are accused, not because one of their number has sinned, but because, as is stated afterwards, they encouraged by connivance a crime that was deserving of the severest punishment.\n2. And ye are puffed up \u201cAre ye not ashamed,\u201d says he, \u201cto glory in what affords so much occasion for humiliation?\u201d He had observed previously, that even the highest excellence gives no just ground of glorying, inasmuch as mankind have nothing of their own, and it is only through the grace of God that they possess any excellence. (1Co 4:7.) Now, however, he attacks them from another quarter. \u201cYou are,\u201d says he, \u201ccovered with disgrace: what ground have you, then, for pride or haughtiness? For there is an amazing blindness in glorying in the midst of disgrace, in spite, as it were of angels and men.\u201d\nWhen he says, and have not rather mourned, he argues by way of contrast; for where there is grief there is no more glorying. It may be asked: \u201cWhy ought they to have mourned over another man\u2019s sin?\u201d I answer, for two reasons: first, in consequence of the communion that exists among the members of the Church, it was becoming that all should feel hurt at so deadly a fall on the part of one of their number; and secondly, when such an enormity is perpetrated in a particular Church, the perpetrator of it is all offender in such a way, that the whole society is in a manner polluted. For as God humbles the father of a family in the disgrace of his wife, or of his children, and a whole kindred in the disgrace of one of their number, so every Church ought to consider, that it contracts a stain of disgrace whenever any base crime is perpetrated in it. Nay, farther, we see how the anger of God was kindled against the whole nation of Israel on account of the sacrilege of one individual \u2014 Achan. (Jos 7:1.) It was not as though God had been so cruel as to take vengeance on the innocent for another man\u2019s crime; but, as in every instance in which anything of this nature has occurred among a people, there is already some token of his anger, so by correcting a community for the fault of one individual, he distinctly intimates that the whole body is infected and polluted with the contagion of the offense. Hence we readily infer, that it is the duty of every Church to mourn over the faults of individual members, as domestic calamities belonging to the entire body. And assuredly a pious and dutiful correction takes its rise in our being inflamed with holy zeal through displeasure at the offense; for otherwise severity will be felt to be bitter. 271\nThat he might be taken away from among you. He now brings out more distinctly what he finds fault with in the Corinthians \u2014 remissness, inasmuch as they connived at such an abomination. Hence, too, it appears that Churches are furnished with this power 272 \u2014 that, whatever fault there is within them, they can correct or remove it by strictness of discipline, and that those are inexcusable that are not on the alert to have filth cleared away. For Paul here condemns the Corinthians. Why? Because they had been remiss in the punishment of one individual. Now he would have accused them unjustly, if they had not had this power. Hence the power of excommunication is established from this passage. On the other hand, as Churches have this mode of punishment put into their hands, those commit sin, 273 as Paul shows here, that do not make use of it, when it is required; for otherwise he would act unfairly to the Corinthians in charging them with this fault.\n3. I truly, etc. As the Corinthians were wanting in their duty, having condemned their negligence, he now shows what ought to be done. In order that this stain may be removed, they must cast out this incestuous person from the society of the faithful. He prescribes, then, as a remedy for the disease, excommunication, which they had sinfully delayed so long. When he says, that he had, while absent in body, already determined this, he severely reproves in this way the remissness of the Corinthians, for there is here all implied contrast. It is as though he had said: \u201cYou who are present ought before this time to have applied a remedy to this disease, having it every day before your eyes, and yet you do nothing; 274 while for my part I cannot, even though absent, endure it.\u201d Lest any one should allege that he acted rashly in forming a judgment when at so great a distance, he declares himself to be present in spirit, meaning by this, that the line of duty was as plain to him as if he were present, and saw the thing with his eyes. Now it is of importance to observe what he teaches as to the mode of excommunication.\n4. When you are gathered together and my spirit \u2014 that is, when ye are gathered together with me, but in spirit, for they could not meet together as to bodily presence. He declares, however, that it would be all one as though he were personally present. It is to be carefully observed, that Paul, though an Apostle, does not himself, as an individual, excommunicate according to his own pleasure, but consults with the Church, that the matter may be transacted by common authority. He, it is true, takes the lead, and shows the way, but, in taking others as his associates, he intimates with sufficient plainness, that this authority does not belong to any one individual. As, however, a multitude never accomplishes anything with moderation or seriousness, if not governed by counsel, there was appointed in the ancient Church a Presbytery, 275 that is, an assembly of elders, who, by the consent of all, had the power of first judging in the case. From them the matter was brought before the people, but it was as a thing already judged of. 276 Whatever the matter may be, it is quite contrary to the appointment of Christ and his Apostles \u2014 to the order of the Church, and even to equity itself, that this right should be put into the hands of any one man, of excommunicating at his pleasure any that he may choose. Let us take notice, then, that in excommunicating this limitation be observed \u2014 that this part of discipline be exercised by the common counsel of the elders, and with the consent of the people, and that this is a remedy in opposition to tyranny. For nothing is more at variance with the discipline of Christ than tyranny, for which you open a wide door, if you give one man the entire power.\nIn the name of our Lord For it is not enough that we assemble, if it be not in the name of Christ; for even the wicked assemble together for impious and nefarious conspiracies. Now in order that an assembly may be held in Christ\u2019s name, two things are requisite: first, that we begin by calling upon his name; and secondly, that nothing is attempted but in conformity with his word. Then only do men make an auspicious commencement of anything that they take in hand to do, when they with their heart call upon the Lord that they may be governed by his Spirit, and that their plans may, by his grace, be directed to a happy issue; and farther, when they ask at his mouth, as the Prophet speaks, (Isa 30:2,) that is to say, when, after consulting his oracles, they surrender themselves and all their designs to his will in unreserved obedience. If this is becoming even in the least of our actions, how much less ought it to be omitted in important and serious matters, and least of all, when we have to do with God\u2019s business rather than our own? For example, excommunication is an ordinance of God, and not of men; on any occasion, therefore, on which we are to make use of it, where shall we begin if not with God. 277 In short, when Paul exhorts the Corinthians to assemble in the name of Christ, he does not simply require them to make use of Christ\u2019s name, or to confess him with the mouth, (for the wicked themselves can do that,) but to seek him truly and with the heart, and farther, he intimates by this the seriousness and importance of the action.\nHe adds, with the power of our Lord, for if the promise is true,\nAs often as two or three are gathered together in my name, \n I am in the midst of them, (Mt 18:20,)\nit follows, that whatever is done in such an assembly is a work of Christ. Hence we infer, of what importance excommunication, rightly administered, is in the sight of God, inasmuch as it rests upon the power of God. For that saying, too, must be accomplished,\nWhatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven. (Mt 18:18.)\nAs, however, this statement ought to fill despisers 278 with no ordinary alarm, so faithful pastors, as well as the Churches generally, are by this admonished in what a devout spirit 279 they should go to work in a matter of such importance. For it is certain that the power of Christ is not tied to the inclination or opinions of mankind, but is associated with his eternal truth.\n5. To deliver to Satan for the destruction of the flesh. As the Apostles had been furnished with this power among others, that they could deliver over to Satan wicked and obstinate persons, and made use of him as a scourge to correct them, Chrysostom, and those that follow him, view these words of Paul as referring to a chastisement of that kind, agreeably to the exposition that is usually given of another passage, in reference to Alexander and Hymeneus, (1Ti 1:20.) To deliver over to Satan, they think, means nothing but the infliction of a severe punishment upon the body. But when I examine the whole context more narrowly, and at the same time compare it with what is stated in 2Co 2:5-11, I give up that interpretation, as forced and at variance with Paul\u2019s meaning, and understand it simply of excommunication. For delivering over to Satan is an appropriate expression for denoting excommunication; for as Christ reigns in the Church, so Satan reigns out of the Church, as Augustine, too, has remarked, 280 in his sixty-eighth sermon on the words of the Apostle, where he explains this passage. 281 As, then, we are received into the communion of the Church, and remain in it on this condition, that we are under the protection and guardianship of Christ, I say, that he who is cast out of the Church is in a manner delivered over to the power of Satan, for he becomes an alien, and is cast out of Christ\u2019s kingdom.\nThe clause that follows, for the destruction of the flesh, is made use of for the purpose of softening; for Paul\u2019s meaning is not that the person who is chastised is given over to Satan to be utterly ruined, or so as to be given up to the devil in perpetual bondage, but that it is a temporary condemnation, and not only so, but of such a nature as will be salutary. For as the salvation equally with the condemnation of the spirit is eternal, he takes the condemnation of the flesh as meaning temporal condemnation. \u201cWe will condemn him in this world for a time, that the Lord may preserve him in his kingdom.\u201d This furnishes an answer to the objection, by which some endeavor to set aside this exposition, for as the sentence of excommunication is directed rather against the soul than against the outward man, they inquire how it can be called the destruction of the flesh My answer, then, is, (as I have already in part stated,) that the destruction of the flesh is opposed to the salvation of the spirit, simply because the former is temporal and the latter is eternal. In this sense the Apostle in Heb 5:7, uses the expression the days of Christ\u2019s flesh, to mean the course of his mortal life. Now the Church in chastising offenders with severity, spares them not in this world, in order that God may spare them. 282 Should any one wish to have anything farther in reference to the rite of excommunication, its causes, necessity, purposes, and limitation, let him consult my Institutes. 283\n6. Your glorying is not good. Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump?\n6. Non est bona gloriatio vestra: an nescitis, quod exiguum fermentum totam massam fermentat?\n7. Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us.\n7. Expurgate ergo vetus fermentum, ut sitis nova conspersio, sicut estis azymi: nam Pascha nostrum pro nobis immolatum est, Christus. 284\n8. Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness; but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.\n8. Proinde epulemur non in fermento veteri, neque in fermento malitiae et pravitatis, sed in azymis sinceritatis veritatis. 285\n6. Your glorying is not good. He condemns their glorying, not simply because they extolled themselves beyond what is lawful for man, but because they delighted themselves in their faults. He had previously stripped mankind of all glory; for he had shown that, as they have nothing of their own, whatever excellence they may have, they owe the entire praise of it to God alone. (1Co 4:7.) What he treats of here, however, is not that, God is defrauded of his right, when mortals arrogate to themselves the praise of their excellences, but that the Corinthians are guilty of arrant folly in extolling themselves without any just ground. For they proudly gloried as if everything had been in a golden style among them, while in the meantime there was so much among them that was wicked and disgraceful.\nKnow ye not That they might not think that it was a matter of little or no importance that they gave encouragement to so great an evil, he shows the destructive tendency of indulgence and dissimulation in such a case. He makes use of a proverbial saying, by which he intimates that a whole multitude is infected by the contagion of a single individual. For this proverb has in this passage 286 the same meaning as in those expressions of Juvenal: \u201cA whole herd of swine falls down in the fields through disease in one of their number, and one discolored grape infects another.\u201d 287 I have said in this passage, because Paul, as we shall see, makes use of it elsewhere (Ga 5:9) in another sense.\n7. Purge out therefore Having borrowed a similitude from leaven, he pursues it farther, though he makes a transition from a particular point to a general doctrine. For he is no longer speaking of the case of incest, but exhorts them generally to purity of life, on the ground that we cannot remain in Christ if we are not cleansed. He is accustomed to do this not infrequently. When he has made a particular statement, he takes occasion to pass on to general exhortations. He had made mention of leaven on another account, as we have seen. As this same metaphor suited the general doctrine which he now subjoins, he extends it farther.\nOur Passover 288 Before coming to the subject-matter, I shall say a few words in reference to the words. Old leaven receives that name on the same principle as the old man, (Ro 6:6,) for the corruption of nature takes the precedence in us, previously to our being renewed in Christ. That, therefore, is said to be old which we bring with us from the womb, and must perish when we are renewed by the grace of the Spirit. 289 The verb \u1f10\u03c4\u03cd\u03b8\u03b7, which occurs between the name Christ and the term which denotes a sacrifice, 290 may refer to either. I have taken it as referring to the sacrifice, though this is of no great importance, as the meaning is not affected. The verb \u1f11\u03bf\u03c1\u03c4\u03ac\u03b6\u03c9\u03bc\u03b5\u03bd, which Erasmus rendered \u201cLet us celebrate the feast,\u201d signifies also to partake of the solemn feast which was observed after the sacrifice had been offered up. This interpretation appeared to suit better with the passage before us. I have, accordingly, followed the Vulgate in preference to Erasmus, as this rendering is more in accordance with the mystery of which Paul treats.\nWe come now to the subject-matter. Paul, having it in view to exhort the Corinthians to holiness, shows that what was of old figuratively represented in the passover, ought to be at this day accomplished in us, and explains the correspondence which exists between the figure and the reality. In the first place, as the passover consisted of two parts \u2014 a sacrifice and a sacred feast \u2014 he makes mention of both. For although some do not reckon the paschal lamb to have been a sacrifice, yet reason shows that it was properly a sacrifice, for in that rite the people were reconciled to God by the sprinkling of blood. Now there is no reconciliation without a sacrifice; and, besides, the Apostle now expressly confirms if, for he makes use of the word \u03b8\u03cd\u03b5\u03c3\u03b8\u03b1\u03b9, which is applicable to sacrifices, and in other respects, too, the context would not correspond. The lamb, then, was sacrificed yearly; then followed a feast, the celebration of which lasted for seven successive days. Christ, says Paul, is our Passover 291 He was sacrificed once, and on this condition, that the efficacy of that one oblation should be everlasting. What remains now is, that we eat, 292 not once a-year, but continually.\n8. Now, in the solemnity of this sacred feast we must abstain from leaven, as God commanded the fathers to abstain. But from what leaven? As the outward passover was to them a figure of the true passover, so its appendages were figures of the reality which we at this day possess. If, therefore, we would wish to feed on Christ\u2019s flesh and blood, let us bring to this feast sincerity and truth Let these be our loaves of unleavened bread Away with all malice and wickedness, for it is unlawful to mix up leaven with the passover In fine, he declares that we shall be members of Christ only when we shall have renounced malice and deceit. In the meantime we must carefully observe this passage, as showing that the ancient passover was not merely \u03bc\u03bd\u03b7\u03bc\u03bf\u03c3\u03c5\u03bd\u03bf\u03bd, 293 a memorial of a past benefit, but also a sacrament, representing Christ who was to come, from whom we have this privilege, that we pass from death to life. Otherwise, it would not hold good, that in Christ is the body of the legal shadows. (Col 2:17.) This passage will also be of service for setting aside the sacrilege of the Papal mass. For Paul does not teach that Christ is offered daily, but that the sacrifice having been offered up once for all, it remains that the spiritual feast be celebrated during our whole life.\n9. I wrote unto you in an epistle not to company with fornicators:\n9. Scripsi vobis in Epistola, Ne commisceamini scortatoribus:\n10. Yet not altogether with the fornicators of this world, or with the covetous, or extortioners, or with idolaters; for then must ye needs go out of the world.\n10. Neque in universum scortatoribus mundi hujus, vel avaris, vel rapacibus, vel idololatris: quandoquidem debuissetis ex hoc mundo exire.\n11. But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat.\n11. Nunc autem scripsi vobis, Ne commisceamini: si is qui frater nominatur, vel scortator sit, vel avarus, vel idololatra, vel maledicus, vel ebriosus, vel rapax: cum tali ne cibum quidem sumatis.\n12. For what have I to do to judge them also that are without? do not ye judge them that are within?\n12. Quid enim mea refert extraneos iudicare? an non eos qui intus sunt iudicatis?\n13. But them that are without God judgeth. Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person.\n13. Extraneos vero Deus iudicat: eiicite scelestum ex vobis ipsis.\n9. I wrote to you in an epistle. The epistle of which he speaks is not at this day extant. Nor is there any doubt that many others are lost. It is enough, however, that those have been preserved to us which the Lord foresaw would suffice. But this passage, in consequence of its obscurity, has been twisted to a variety of interpretations, which I do not think it necessary for me to take up time in setting aside, but will simply bring forward what appears to me to be its true meaning. He reminds the Corinthians of what he had already enjoined upon them \u2014 that they should refrain from intercourse with the wicked. For the word rendered to keep company with, means to be on terms of familiarity with any one, and to be in habits of close intimacy with him. 294 Now, his reminding them of this tends to expose their remissness, inasmuch as they had been admonished, and yet had remained inactive.\nHe adds an exception, that they may the better understand that this refers particularly to those that belong to the Church, as they did not require to be admonished 295 to avoid the society of the world. In short, then, he prohibits the Corinthians from holding intercourse with those who, while professing to be believers, do, nevertheless, live wickedly and to the dishonor of God. \u201cLet all that wish to be reckoned brethren, either live holily and becomingly, or be excommunicated from the society of the pious, and let all the good refrain from intercourse and familiarity with them. It were superfluous to speak as to the openly wicked, for you ought of your own accord to shun them, without any admonition from me.\u201d This exception, however, increases the criminality of remissness, inasmuch as they cherished in the bosom of the Church an openly wicked person; for it is more disgraceful to neglect those of your own household than to neglect strangers.\n10. Since you would have required. It is as to this clause especially that interpreters are not agreed. For some say, \u201cYou must sooner quit Greece.\u201d Ambrose, on the other hand, says, \u201cYou must rather die.\u201d Erasmus turns it into the optative, as if Paul said, \u201cWould that it were allowable for you to leave the world altogether; 296 but as you cannot do this, you must at least quit the society of those who falsely assume the name of Christians, and in the meantime exhibit in their lives the worst example.\u201d Chrysostom\u2019s exposition has more appearance of truth. According to him, the meaning is this: \u201cWhen I command you to shun fornicators, I do not mean all such; otherwise you would require to go in quest of another world; for we must live among thorns so long as we sojourn on earth. This only do I require, that you do not keep company with fornicators, who wish to be regarded as brethren, lest you should seem by your sufferance to approve of their wickedness.\u201d Thus the term world here, must be taken to mean the present life, as in Joh 17:15\nI pray not, Father, that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest deliver them from the evil.\nAgainst this exposition a question might be proposed by way of objection: \u201cAs Paul said this at a time when Christians were as yet mingled with heathens, and dispersed among them, what ought to be done now, when all have given themselves to Christ in name? For even in the present day we must go out of the world, if we would avoid the society of the wicked; and there are none that are strangers, when all take upon themselves Christ\u2019s name, and are consecrated to him by baptism.\u201d Should any one feel inclined to follow Chrysostom, he will find no difficulty in replying, to this effect: that Paul here took for granted what was true \u2014 that, where there is the power of excommunication, there is an easy remedy for effecting a separation between the good and the bad, if Churches do their duty. As to strangers, the Christians at Corinth had no jurisdiction, and they could not restrain their dissolute manner of life. Hence they must of necessity have quitted the world, if they wished to avoid the society of the wicked, whose vices they could not cure.\nFor my own part, as I do not willingly adopt interpretations which cannot be made to suit the words, otherwise than by twisting the words so as to suit them, I prefer one that is different from all these, taking the word rendered to go out as meaning to be separated, and the term world as meaning the pollutions of the world \u201cWhat need have you of an injunction as to the children of this world, (Lu 16:8,) for having once for all renounced the world, it becomes you to stand aloof from their society; for the whole world lieth in the wicked one.\u201d 297 (1Jo 5:19.) If any one is not satisfied with this interpretation, here is still another that is probable: \u201cI do not write to you in general terms, that you should shun the society of the fornicators of this world, though that you ought to do, without any admonition from me.\u201d I prefer, however, the former; and I am not the first contriver of it, but, while it has been brought forward previously by others, I have adapted it more fully, if I mistake not, to Paul\u2019s thread of discourse. There is, then, 298 a sort of intentional omission, when he says that he makes no mention of those that are without, inasmuch as the Corinthians ought to be already separated from them, that they may know that even at home 299 they required to maintain this discipline of avoiding the wicked.\n11. If he who is called a brother In the Greek there is a participle 300 without a verb. 301 Those that view this as referring to what follows, bring out here a forced meaning, and at variance with Paul\u2019s intention. I confess, indeed, that that is a just sentiment, 302 and worthy of being particularly noticed \u2014 that no one can be punished by the decision of the Church, but one whose sin has become matter of notoriety; but these words of Paul cannot be made to bear that meaning. What he means, then, is this: \u201cIf any one is reckoned a brother among you, and at the same time leads a wicked life, and such as is unbecoming a Christian, keep aloof from his society.\u201d In short, being called a brother, means here a false profession, which has no corresponding reality. Farther, he does not make a complete enumeration of crimes, but merely mentions five or six by way of example, and then afterwards, under the expression such an one, he sums up the whole; and he does not mention any but what fall under the knowledge of men. For inward impiety, and anything that is secret, does not fall within the judgment of the Church.\nIt is uncertain, however, what he means by an idolater For how can he be devoted to idolatry who has made a profession of Christ? Some are of opinion that there were among the Corinthians at that time some who received Christ but in half, and in the mean time were involved, nevertheless, in corrupt superstition, as the Israelites of old, and afterwards the Samaritans maintained a kind of worship of God, but at the same time polluted it with wicked superstitions. For my part, I rather understand it of those who, while they held idols in contempt, gave, nevertheless, a pretended homage to the idols, with the view of gratifying the wicked. Paul declares that such persons ought not to be tolerated in the society of Christians; and not without good reason, inasmuch as they made so little account of trampling God\u2019s glory under foot. We must, however, observe the circumstances of the case \u2014 that, while they had a Church there, in which they might worship God in purity, and have the lawful use of the sacraments, they came into the Church in such a way as not to renounce the profane fellowship of the wicked. I make this observation, in order that no one may think that we ought to employ equally severe measures against those who, while at this day dispersed under the tyranny of the Pope, pollute themselves with many corrupt rites. These indeed, I maintain, sin generally in this respect, and they ought, I acknowledge, to be sharply dealt with, and diligently urged, 303 that they may learn at length to consecrate themselves wholly to Christ; but I dare not go so far as to reckon them worthy of excommunication, for their case is different. 304\nWith such an one not even to take food. In the first place, we must ascertain whether he addresses here the whole Church, or merely individuals. I answer, that this is said, indeed, to individuals, but, at the same time, it is connected with their discipline in common; for the power of excommunicating is not allowed to any individual member, but to the entire body. When, therefore, the Church has excommunicated any one, no believer ought to receive him into terms of intimacy with him; otherwise the authority of the Church would be brought into contempt, if each individual were at liberty to admit to his table those who have been excluded from the table of the Lord. By partaking of food here, is meant either living together, or familiar association in meals. For if, on going into an inn, I see one who has been excommunicated sitting at table, there is nothing to hinder me from dining with him; for I have not authority to exclude him. What Paul means is, that, in so far as it is in our power, we are to shun the society of those whom the Church has cut off from her communion.\nThe Roman antichrist, not content with this severity, has burst forth into interdicts, prohibiting any one from helping one that has been excommunicated to food, or fuel, or drink, or any other of the supports of life. 305 Now, that is not strictness of discipline, but tyrannical and barbarous cruelty, that is altogether at variance with Paul\u2019s intention. For he means not that he should be counted as an enemy, but as a brother, (2Th 3:15;) for in putting this public mark of disgrace upon him, the intention is, that he may be filled with shame, and brought to repentance. And with this dreadful cruelty, if God is pleased to permit, do they rage even against the innocent. 306 Now, granting that there are sometimes those who are not undeserving of this punishment, I affirm, on the other hand, that this kind of interdict 307 is altogether unsuitable to an ecclesiastical court.\n12. For what have I to do to judge them that are without? There is nothing to hinder us from judging these also \u2014 nay more, even devils themselves are not exempt from the judgment of the word which is committed to us. But Paul is speaking here of the jurisdiction that belongs peculiarly to the Church. \u201cThe Lord has furnished us with this power, that we may exercise it upon those who belong to his household. For this chastisement is a part of discipline which is confined to the Church, and does not extend to strangers. We do not therefore pronounce upon them their condemnation, because the Lord has not subjected them to our cognizance and jurisdiction, in so far as that chastisement and censure are concerned. We are, therefore, constrained to leave them to the judgment of God.\u201d It is in this sense that Paul says, that God will judge them, because he allows them to wander about 308 unbridled like wild beasts, because there is no one that can restrain their wantonness.\n13. Put away that wicked person. This is commonly explained as referring to the person who was guilty of an illicit connection with his mother-in-law. For as to those who understand the expression to mean \u2014 \u201cPut away evil or wickedness,\u201d they are refuted by the Greek words made use of by Paul, the article (\u03c4\u1f78\u03bd) being in the masculine gender, But what if you should view it as referring to the devil, who, undoubtedly in the person of a wicked and unprincipled man, 309 is encouraged to establish his throne among us? For \u1f41 \u03c0\u03bf\u03bd\u03b7\u03c1\u03bf\u03c2 (the wicked one) taken simply and without any addition, denotes the prince of all crimes, 310 rather than some wicked man. If this meaning is approved of, Paul shows how important it is 311 not to tolerate wicked persons, as by this means Satan is expelled from his kingdom which he keeps up among us, when indulgence is given to the wicked. 312 If any one, however, prefers to understand it as referring to a man, I do not oppose it. Chrysostom compares the rigor of the law with the mildness of the gospel, inasmuch as Paul was satisfied with excommunication in case of an offense for which the law required the punishment of death, but for this there is no just ground. For Paul is not here addressing judges that are armed with the sword, but an unarmed multitude 313 that was allowed merely to make use of brotherly correction.\nCalvin probably had in his eye, among other instances, the Oedipus Tyrannus of Sophocles \u2014 Ed.\n\u201cEt ne profitera pas;\u201d \u2014 \u201cAnd will do no good.\u201d\n\u201cEt authorite;\u201d \u2014 \u201cAnd authority.\u201d\n\u201cOffensent Dieu;\u201d \u2014 \u201cOffend God.\u201d\n\u201cVous dissimulez;\u201d \u2014 \u201cYou connive.\u201d\n\u201cQu\u2019on appeloit le Presbytere;\u201d \u2014 \u201cWhat they called a Presbytery.\u201d\n\u201cPuis apres la chose estoit renuoyee au peuple par eux, avec un advertissement touteffois de ce qui leur en sembloit;\u201d \u2014 \u201cThe matter was afterwards brought by them before the people, with an intimation, however, of their views respecting it.\u201d See Calvin\u2019s Institutes, volume 3, pp. 233-5. \u2014 Ed.\n\u201cLe nom de Dieu;\u201d \u2014 \u201cThe name of God.\u201d\n\u201cContempteurs de Dieu;\u201d \u2014 \u201cDespisers of God.\u201d\n\u201cEn quelle crainte et obeissance: \u2014 \u201cWith what fear and obedience.\u201d\n\u201cL\u2019a tres-bien note;\u201d \u2014 \u201cHas very well remarked.\u201d\n\u201cThe reader will find the same sentiment quoted in the Institutes, volume 3. \u2014 Ed.\n\u201cMais c\u2019est afin que Dieu leur espargne;\u201d \u2014 \u201cBut it is in order that God may spare them.\u201d\n\u201cNostre Pasque, assavoir Christ;\u201d \u2014 \u201cOur passover, namely, Christ.\u201d\n\u201cAvec pains sans leuain, c\u2019est a dire, de syncerite et de verite;\u201d \u2014 \u201cWith unleavened bread, that is to say, of sincerity and truth.\u201d\n\u201cHa en ce passage un mesme sens comme ce qu\u2019on dit communeement, Qu\u2019ilne faut qu\u2019vne brebis rongneuse pour gaster tout le troupeau;\u201d \u2014 \u201cHas in this passage the same meaning as what is commonly said: \u2014 There needs but one diseased sheep to infect a whole flock.\u201d\ngrex totus in agris \n Unius scabie cadit, et porrigine porci: \n Uvaque conspecta livorem ducit ab uva \n Juv. II. 79-81.\n\u201cWould any one,\u201d asks Hervey, (in his Theroa and Aspasio, volume 1,) \u201cventure to say \u2014 \u2018Paul our passover is sacrificed for us?\u2019 Yet this, I think, may be, or rather is in effect said, by the account which some persons give of Christ\u2019s satisfaction. The very thought of such a blasphemous absurdity is too painful and offensive for the serious Christian to dwell upon. I would therefore direct his attention to a more pleasing object. Let him observe the exquisite skill which here and everywhere conducts the zeal of our inspired writer. The odes of Pindar are celebrated for their fine transitions, which, though bold and surprising, are perfectly natural. We have in this place,\u201d (1Co 5:7) \u201ca very masterly stroke of the same beautiful kind. The Apostle, speaking of the incestuous criminal, passes, by a most artful digression, to his daring topic \u2014 a crucified Savior. Who would have expected it on such an occasion? Yet, when thus admitted, who does not see and admire both the propriety of the subject and the delicacy of its introduction?\u201d \u2014 Ed.\nOur Author gives a similar definition of the expression the old man, when commenting on Romans 6:6. \u201cTotam antem naturam significat, quam afterlinus ex utero, quae adeo regni Dei capax non est, ut interire eatenus oporteat, quatenus in veram vitam instauramur;\u201d \u2014 \u201cIt denotes the whole of that nature which we bring with us from the womb, and is so far from being fit for the kingdom of God, that it must perish, in so far as we are renewed to a true life.\u201d \u2014 Ed.\n\u201cAssauoir, Pasque;\u201d \u2014 \u201cNamely, passover.\u201d\nCharnock makes the following pointed observations on the form of expression here employed: \u2014 \u201cChrist the Passover \u2014 i e the paschal lamb. The lamb was called the passover. The sign for the thing signified by it. 2Ch 35:11. And they killed the passover, i e the lamb; for the passover was properly the angel\u2019s passing over Israel, when he was sent as an executioner of God\u2019s wrath upon the Egyptians So Mt 26:17. Where shall we prepare for thee to eat the passover? i e the paschal lamb. Our passover, i e our paschal lamb. He is called God\u2019s lamb, Joh 1:29 God\u2019s in regard of the author, ours in regard of the end: God\u2019s lamb in regard of designation, ours in regard of acceptation Our passover, i e not only of the Jews, but of the Gentiles. That was restrained to the Israelitish nation, this extends, in the offers of it, to all, and belongs to all that are under the new administration of the covenant of grace. For us, (\u1f51\u03c0\u1f72\u03c1 \u1f21\u03bc\u1ff6\u03bd,) i e not only for our good, but in our stead, to free us from eternal death \u2014 to purchase for us eternal life.\u201d \u2014 Charnock\u2019s Works, volume 2. \u2014 Ed\n\u201cI1 ne reste plus sinon que nous en soyons nourris;\u201d \u2014 \u201cNothing remains, but that we be nourished by it.\u201d\nOur author most probably alludes to Ex 12:14, \u201cAnd this day shall be unto you for a memorial,\u201d etc. The term used in the Septuagint is \u03bc\u03bd\u03b7\u03bc\u03bf\u03c3\u03c5\u03bd\u03bf\u03bd, answering to the Hebrew term \u05d6\u05db\u05e8\u05d5\u05df. \u2014 Ed\nThe original word, \u03c3\u03c5\u03bd\u03b1\u03bd\u03b1\u03bc\u03af\u03b3\u03bd\u03c5\u03c3\u03b8\u03b1\u03b9, literally means to be mixed up together with It is the rendering of the Septuagint for the Hebrew word \u05d9\u05ea\u05d1\u05d5\u05dc\u05dc, in Ho 7:8 Ephraim hath mixed himself among the people. \u2014 Ed\n\u201cCe seroit vne chose superflue de les admonester,\u201d etc.; \u2014 \u201cIt were a superfluous thing to admonish them,\u201d etc.\n\u201cThe rendering of Erasmus is as follows: \u201cAlioqui utinam videlicet e mundo exissetis;\u201d \u2014 \u201cOtherwise I would, truly, that you had departed out of the world.\u201d\n\u201cCar tout le monde est mis a mal;\u201d \u2014 \u201cFor the whole world is addicted to evil.\u201d\n\u201cEn ceste sentence;\u201d \u2014 \u201cIn this sentence.\u201d\n\u201cC\u2019est a dire, entr\u2019eux;\u201d \u2014 \u201cThat is to say, among themselves.\u201d\n\u201cAu texte Grec il y a de mot a mot, Si aucun frere nomme,\u201d etc.; \u2014 \u201cIn the Greek text it literally, If any one, called a brother,\u201d etc.\nIt is so according to the common reading, which is as follows: \u2014 \u1f10\u03ac\u03bd \u03c4\u03b9\u03c2, \u1f00\u03b4\u03b5\u03bb\u03c6\u1f78\u03c2 \u1f40\u03bd\u03bf\u03bc\u03b1\u03b6\u03cc\u03bc\u03b5\u03bd\u03bf\u03c2, \u1f23 \u03c0\u03cc\u03c1\u03bd\u03bf\u03c2, \u1f23 \u03c0\u03bb\u03b5\u03bf\u03bd\u03ad\u03ba\u03c4\u03b7\u03c2, \u03ba. \u03c4. \u03bb..\u201d If any one, called a brother \u2014 either a fornicator, or covetous,\u201d etc.; but, as stated by Bloomfield, \u201cseven MSS., and many versions, and Fathers, the Ed. Princ., and those of Beza, Schmid., and Beng., have \u1f96, (before \u03c0\u03cc\u03c1\u03bd\u03bf\u03c2,) which is approved by Wets., and Matth., and edited by Griesb., Knapp., Vat., and Tittm.;\u201d and, in Bloomfield\u2019s opinion, \u201crightly.\u201d \u2014 Ed\n\u201cQu\u2019ils en tirent;\u201d \u2014 \u201cWhich they draw from it.\u201d\n\u201cIl les faut redarguer auec seuerite, et les soliciter continuellement par admonitions;\u201d \u2014 \u201cThey ought to be reproved with severity, and plied perseveringly with admonitions.\u201d\n\u201cCar leur condition n\u2019est pas telle comme estoit celle des Corinthiens;\u201d \u2014 \u201cFor their condition is not like that of the Corinthians.\u201d\n\u201cEst venu furieusement jusques aux defenses et menaces, Que nul ne fust si hardi de donner a boire ou a manger, ou de feu a celuy qui seroit excommunier, ou de luy aider aucunement des choses necessaires a la vie presente;\u201d \u2014 \u201cHas in his fury gone so far as to issue forth prohibitions and threatenings \u2014 \u2018Let no one be so daring as to give meat, or drink, or fuel, to the man who has been excommunicated, or to help him in any way with the things necessary for the present life.\u2019\u201d\n\u201cEt ces bourreaux encore exercent ceste cruaute extreme, mesme contre les innocens;\u201d \u2014 \u201cAnd these hangmen do, besides, exercise this extreme cruelty even against the innocent.\u201d\n\u201cTelle facon d\u2019excommunier;\u201d \u2014 \u201cSuch a method of excommunication.\u201d\n\u201cEt courir a trauers champs;\u201d \u2014 \u201cAnd run across the fields.\u201d\n\u201cQuand on supporte un homme meschant et mal-vivant;\u201d \u2014 \u201cWhen a wicked and unprincipled man is allowed to continue.\u201d \u2014 Ed.\nIt is well observed by Witsius in his Dissertations on the Lord\u2019s Prayer, (Biblical Cabinet, No. 24,) that the appellation of the evil One is properly applied to Satan, \u201cbecause he does nothing but what is evil \u2014 because all the evil that exists in the universe originated with him \u2014 because in doing evil, and in persuading others to do evil, he finds his only delight, the wicked and malignant solace of his desperate misery.\u201d \u2014 Ed.\n\u201cCombien il est utile et necessaire;\u201d \u2014 \u201cHow useful it is and necessary.\u201d\n\u201cQuand il y a vne license de malfaire, et les meschans sont soufferts;\u201d \u2014 \u201cWhen there is a license to do evil, and the wicked are tolerated.\u201d\n\u201cDesnuee de puissance externe;\u201d \u2014 \u201cDestitute of external power.\u201d","title":"Calvin's Commentaries, Vol. 39: Corinthians, Part I: Chap...","type":"page"}