Read & Study the Bible Online - Bible Portal
John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Corinthians 3:23

Verse 23 23.Christ is God’s This subjection relates to Christ’s humanity, for by taking upon him our flesh, he assumed “the form” and condition “of a servant,” that he might make himself obedient to his Father in all things. (Philippians 2:7.) And assuredly, that we may cleave to God through him, it is necessary that he have God as his head (1 Corinthians 11:3.) We must observe, however, with what intention Paul has added this. For he admonishes us, that the sum of our felicity consists in... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Corinthians 3:13-23

The cure for the party spirit. Having still in mind the difficulty occasioned by those who claimed to be superior teachers; and gathered parties round them, the apostle proceeds to show that merely human wisdom is in itself worthless for spiritual purposes, and, therefore, that the possession of it alone is no reason for the exaltation of the teacher who is endowed with it." A man over confident in his superior knowledge is always a dangerous man. The most learned are always the most... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Corinthians 3:16-23

Believers as the temple of God. Previously St. Paul had said, "Ye are God's building;" and now he adds, "Ye are the temple of God." Along with this comes the idea of sanctity: "The temple of God is holy, which temple ye are." If, then, these Corinthians were the temple of God, and if the Spirit of God dwelt in them, no stronger motive could bear upon them than the need of holiness; and this holiness is a personal matter. "If any man"—whoever he be and whatever his gifts—"if any man defile... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Corinthians 3:21

Wherefore . St. Paul, with this word, concludes the argument of warning of the previous section, as in 1 Corinthians 3:7 ; 1 Corinthians 4:5 ; 1 Corinthians 8:1-13 :38; 1 Corinthians 11:33 ; 1 Corinthians 14:39 ; 1 Corinthians 15:58 (Wordsworth). All things are yours. It is always a tendency of Christians to underrate the grandeur of their privileges by exaggerating their supposed monopoly of some of them, while many equally rich advantages are at their disposal. Instead of... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Corinthians 3:21-23

A call to the utmost expansiveness in religious sympathy. "Therefore let no man glory in men. For all things are yours," etc. The attendants on a Christian ministry may be divided into two classes. 1. Those who esteem the doctrine because of the teacher. There are not a few in all congregations who accept doctrines simply because of the strong sympathies they have with the preacher. Paul seems to have thought of these when he wrote this chapter. He alludes to the men in the Church at... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Corinthians 3:21-23

"All things are yours." These are great words; but if they were not so great they would here be out of place. Men are given to boast of their possessions; but the Christian's boast is in this respect larger and grander than any man's beside. Men are wont to glory in belonging to some select society, some great nation, some illustrious king; but the Christian glories in belonging to a greater than the greatest who owes his honour to this world. "All things" are his; and he is "Christ's." ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Corinthians 3:21-23

The believer's possessions. I. WHAT THESE ARE . 1. Ministers. The Corinthians had made a strange mistake; they had been regarding ministers as masters, and choosing which they preferred to serve. In a singular loss of dignity (singular because many of them were not a little afflicted with pride) they had become ambitious of belonging to ministers, forgetting that ministers, as such belonged to them. Ministers are the servants of the Church, and thus among the believer's... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Corinthians 3:21-23

The Christian's heritage. Since the wisdom of men is foolishness, and even the ministers of Divine wisdom are but servants, all glorying in men is to be avoided. Boast not in this one or that, however eminent; for all such boasting is a degradation to one who is possessed of so rich an inheritance. I. IT IS UNIVERSAL . "All things are yours." Man's original lordship over creation ( Psalms 8:6 ) has been lost by sin, but is now restored in Christ. All things exist for the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Corinthians 3:21-23

A Christian's possessions. It is a folly under the sun to live above one's means. It is the folly of very many Christians that they live spiritually far below their means of grace and godliness. They are like poor people who have come into a large estate, and cannot for some time adapt themselves to their altered position or comport themselves as befits their fortune. They still betray the narrow ideas and awkward manners of their former condition. So Christians are assured that they have... read more

Group of Brands