1 Corinthians 1:9-11

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Corinthians 1:9

Verse 9 9.God is faithful When the Scripture speaks of God as faithful the meaning in many cases is, that in God there is steadfastness and evenness of tenor, so that what he begins he prosecutes to the end, (50) as Paul himself says elsewhere, that the calling of God is without repentance (Romans 11:29.) Hence, in my opinion, the meaning of this passage is, that God is steadfast in what he purposes. This being the case, he consequently does not make sport as to his calling, but will... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Corinthians 1:10

Verse 10 10.Now I beseech you, brethren Hitherto he has handled the Corinthians mildly, because he knew that they were much too sensitive. Now, however, after preparing their minds for receiving correction, acting the part of a good and skillful surgeon, who soothes the wound when about to apply a painful remedy, he begins to handle them with more severity. Even here, however, as we shall still farther see, he uses great moderation. The sum is this: “It is my hope that the Lord has not in vain... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Corinthians 1:11

Verse 11 11.It has been declared. As general observations have usually little effect, he intimates, that what he had said was more particularly applicable to them. The application, therefore, is designed with the view of leading the Corinthians to perceive, that it was not without good reason that Paul had made mention of harmony. For he shows that they had not merely turned aside from a holy unity, (58) but had even fallen into contentions, which are worse (59) than jarrings of sentiment. And... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Corinthians 1:1-9

St. Paul and the apostleship. First of all, HE ASSERTS THE DIVINE AUTHORITY OF HIS OFFICE , to which he was "called though the will of God." This pro found sense of the dignity belonging to his vocation, as one sent of God, was a supreme principle of his nature; not an opinion, but a conviction, and a conviction too strong to be dislodged from its central seat in his mind by any assault of adverse circumstances. It must needs be subjected to manifold and severe tests, ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Corinthians 1:1-9

The approach to rebuke. The occasion of this letter was largely furnished by the need of rebuke. The Corinthian Church had erred grievously. To rebuke is frequently painful, but when called for it should not be shrunk from; not to rebuke under such circumstances is unalloyed cruelty. To rebuke, often painful, is always perilous. By maladroitness we may easily drive men from the right instead of drawing them to it. Unwise rebuke adds to the ill. We need to prepare for rebuke if when... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Corinthians 1:1-9

Paul's claim to apostleship. The personal appearance and characteristic disposition of Paul, with the particular circumstances which led to the writing of this letter, and roused intense personal feeling, form a fitting introduction. Paul blends Sosthenes with himself in the salutation, partly because of this man's connection with Corinth (see Acts 18:17 ), partly as an answer to those who charged him with making too much of himself and his apostolic rights. By associating this name in... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Corinthians 1:1-31

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Corinthians 1:4-9

The thanksgiving. The thanksgiving is a feature in almost every Epistle of St. Paul, except the Epistle to the Galatians, in which he plunges at once into severe reprobation. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Corinthians 1:4-9

Exemplary gratitude and precious confidence. "I thank my God always on your behalf," etc. Here we have two blessed states of mind— I. EXEMPLARY GRATITUDE . "I thank my God always on your behalf." The gratitude here was: 1. Unselfish. "On your behalf." It is right and well to praise God for what he has done for us, but it is a higher and nobler thing to praise him for what he has done for others. No man rightly appreciates a blessing who does not desire others to participate... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Corinthians 1:4-9

Thanksgiving on account of their gifts. Paul, as is his wont, begins by congratulating the Corinthian Church on all that is good and praiseworthy in their character, and by expressing a confident hope for the future. This is just in itself,—tell a man his good points as well as his bad; and it is wise, for thus the good among them will be encouraged, and the evil will be the more disposed to listen to rebuke. Consider— I. THEIR GIFTS ( χαρίσματα ) . 1. They had the gift of... read more

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