PUBLIC-DOMAIN CHRISTIAN BOOK
An Exposition of the First Epistle to the Corinthians
Hodge, Charles, 1797–1878 · 167,870 words · 392 reading sections
I. CORINTHIANS 2, 14. 48
prudent, and revealed unto babes, Matt. 11, 25. 2. Because the word spiritual^ when used in the New Testament of per- sons, never means intellectual. It always means one under the influence of the Holy Spirit. It therefore must have that meaning here. 3. The very distinction designed to be ex- pressed here and elsewher…
461 wordsSECTION 6244 I. CORINTHIANS 2, 14. 16.
poem. The difficulty is not merely in his will but in his whole mward state. The thing is foolishness to him. So the scrip- tures do not say of the natural man merely that he will not discern the things of the Spirit, because the difficulty in his case is not in the will alone, but in his whole inward state. He cannot …
449 wordsSECTION 63I. CORINTHIANS 2, 16.16. 46
see, have the right to see. It is the office of the Holy Spirit to reveal the truth, to open our eyes to discern it in its true nature, and to feel its power. It is on this demonstration of the Spirit, as taught above, that saving faith is founded. And as this demonstration is granted to every one who has the Spirit, t…
443 wordsSECTION 6446 I. CORINTHIANS 2, 16.
among the Jews had sat in judgment upon Paul, and pro- nounced his preaching foolishness. He tells them they were not competent judges. The natural man cannot discern the things of the Spirit, and is incompetent to judge those whom the Spirit has taught. As what we teach is the mind of the Lord, to condemn our doctrine…
195 wordsSECTION 65CHAPTER m.
Transition from the defence of his mode of preaching to the subject of their divisions, vs. 1-5. The trae relation of ministers to the church as ser- vants, and not party leaders, vs. 7-23. Heproof of the Corinthians for their dissensions about their religious teachers. Vs. 1-23. The apostle resumes the subject of th…
159 wordsSECTION 66I. CORINTHIANS S, 1. 47
the ministerial office in its true light. 1. Ministers were not heads of schools or rival sects as were the Grecian philoso- phers, but mere servants, without any authority or power of their own. One may plant, and another water, but the whole increase is of God, vs. 5-7. 2. Ministers are one. They have one master and …
436 wordsSECTION 6748 I. CORINTHIANS 3, 1.2.
God. To the objection, as urged by believers, that his preach- ing was too elementary, he answered, it was adapted to their state. He could only speak to them as to children. They were habes in Christy that is, children in Christian knowledge and experience. This idea he expresses by saying they were not spiritual but…
411 wordsSECTION 68I. CORINTHIANS 3, 2.3. 49
sively practised and taught, inculcating a blind faith, and keeping the people in ignorance. Neither is the distinction that which also extensively prevailed in the early church after the age of the apostles, between truth as the object of faith and truth as the object of knowledge. This is a distinction true in itself…
435 wordsSECTION 6960 I. CORINTHIANS 3, 3.
among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men ? Their unfitness to receive any other nourishment than that adapted to children, is proved by their being carnal ; and their being carnal is proved by the divisions existing among them. Te are yet carnal^ i. e. under the influence of the…
437 wordsSECTION 70I. CORINTHIANS 3, 4.5. 51
4. Eor while one saith, I am of Paul ; and another, I (am) of Apollos ; are ye not carnal ? This confirms the fact that there were such divisions among them as proved them to be governed by unholy feelings, and also explains the nature of those divisions. There were in Corinth, as appears from 1, 12, more parties than…
404 wordsSECTION 7152 I. CORINTHIANS 3, 5.6.7.
and edification of the church, Eph. 4, 11-16. The people, therefore, are bound to regard the ministry as a divine insti- tution, and to value its services ; but preachers are not to be regarded as party leaders, or as lords over God's heritage. Even as the Lord gave to every man; literally, to each one, i. e. to each …
391 wordsSECTION 72I. CORINTHIANS 3, 8.9. 68
8. Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one : and every man shall receive his own reward, ac- cording to his own labour. Are one. Ministers have the same office ; they have the same work, they stand in the same relation to God and to his Church. They are fellow-labourers. To array the one against the other, i…
403 wordsSECTION 7354 I. CORINTHIANS 3, 9. 10.
building, A still more frequent figure ; as the church is so often compared to a temple which is in the course of erection, and of which ministers are the builders, Eph. 2, 20-22, 1 Pet. 2, 5. Union and fidelity in labour are required of those en- gaged in tilling the same farm, or in the erection of the same building …
435 wordsSECTION 74I. CORINTHIANS 3, 10.11. 55
Church. To mix the wisdom of men with the wisdom of God in this work, is, as the apostle afterwards says, like using al- ternate layers of straw and marble in the erection of a temple. Let no man deceive himself in this matter. He will prove himself a fool, if he attempts to substitute philosophy for the gospel in the …
440 wordsSECTION 7566 I. CORINTHIANS 3, 11. 12. 13.
whole passage has reference to doctrine. Paul had preached the truth ; those who came after him must take heed what they preached. 12. 13. Now, if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble ; every man's work shall be made manifest : for the day shall declare it, because it sh…
406 wordsSECTION 76I. CORINTHIANS 3, 13. 14. 15. 67
present ignorance ; but the great day, the day of judgment, or, as it is so often called, the day of the Lord. That day shall make manifest the truth or falsehood of the doctrines taught, because it is (i. e. is certainly to be) revealed hy jire ; literally, in or with fire {Iv Trvpi). In 2 Thess. 1, 8, it is said, "Th…
455 wordsSECTION 7768 I. CORINTHIANS 3, 15.16.
not enough, therefore, that a minister hold fast to fundamental truth ; he must take heed what he teaches in connection mth that truth. If he mingles with it the wood, hay and stubble of his own philosophy, he will find himself a loser on the day of judgment. Many of the Fathers understand o-co^i^o-crat here in the sen…
449 wordsSECTION 78I. CORINTHIANS 3, 16.17.18. 59
16. Eph. 2, 21. A temple is a house in which God dwells; and therefore, it is added, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you. This indwelling of the Spirit constitutes each be- liever, every separate church, and the Church collectively the temple of God. As in the Jewish temple, in its inmost recess, the Shechinah, …
399 wordsSECTION 7960 I. CORINTHIANS 3, 18.19.20.
among you seemeth to be wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be wise. Let no man deceive himself. ' Let no man doubt the truth, of what I have said of the worthlessness of human wisdom, and of the danger of substitutmg it for the wisdom of God. If he does, he will find himself mistaken.' If any man …
864 wordsSECTION 8002 I. CORINTHIANS 3, 21. 22. 23.
things are yours,'' may be understood. It means that all things are designed to promote the interests of the church. The consummation of the work of redemption is the great end to which all things are directed, and to which they are to be made subservient. And secondly, the church is the heir of the world, Rom. 4, 13. …
414 wordsSECTION 81I. CORINTHIANS 3, 23. 63
the church itself can be subject and belong to none but Christ. In him, therefore, only can it glory. Christ is God^s. As the church is subject only to Christ, so Christ is subject only to God. The Scriptures speak of a threefold subordination of Christ. 1. A subordination as to the mode of subsistence and operation, …
203 wordsSECTION 82CHAPTER lY.
Dednction from the preceding discussion, teaching the proper light in which the people should regard the ministry, vs. 1-6. Contrast between the apostles and the false teachers, vs. 6-21. Ministers, as stewards, should he faithful, as Paul had 'proved himself to he, vs. 1-21. It follows, from what was said in the pre…
145 wordsSECTION 8364 I. CORINTHIANS 4, 1.
office, was intended to apply to all ministers, that the people should not estimate them miduly, and that all emulous con- tentions might be avoided, vs. 6, V. The false teacliers in Corinth, an^ the people under their influence, considered themselves to be in a high state of religious prosperity, and were disposed to …
418 wordsSECTION 84I. CORINTHIANS 4, 1.2. 65
Testament. And such a reference in this case is forbidden by the whole context. In the second chapter, the mystery which Paul speaks of is declared to be the gospel considered as a revelation of God. In the Romish church, the principal func- tion of ministers is to dispense the sacraments to which they are assumed to h…
408 wordsSECTION 8566 I. CORINTHIANS 4, 3.4.
should be judged of you, or of man's judgment : yea, I judge not mine own self. Fidelity to duty supposes responsibility to some one. As ministers are required to be faithful, who is to judge of their fidelity ? Paul says, so far as he was concerned, it was not the Corinthians, not the world, not himself — but, as he …
428 wordsSECTION 86I. CORINTHIANS 4, 4.5. 67
Lord. This interpretation of the verse is suited to the mean- ing of the words and to the connection, and has the sanction of general approbation. The connection indicated by for is between what precedes and the latter part of the verse, * I judge not myself, /or he that judgeth me is the Lord.' It need hardly be remar…
418 wordsSECTION 8768 I. CORINTHIANS 4, 5.
jud2:ment. He is to come for judgment, Matt. 24, 30. 46. 2 Pet. 3, 4. 12. Jude 14. Rev. 1,1. The reason why the coming of the Lord is the appropriate time for judgment is, that he will then do what cannot be done before, or by any creature. Ife will bring to light (shed light upon) the secret things of darkness ; that …
463 wordsSECTION 88I. CORIKTHIANS 4, 5.6. 69
decide whether he was faithful, or not. The Lord was the only judge. When he comes, the truth will be known, and then there shall be praise. He knew there was laid up for him a crown of righteousness, which the Lord the righteous judge would give him in that day, 2 Tim. 4, 8. StUl, as what is true of him is true of oth…
440 wordsSECTION 8970 I. CORINTHIANS 4, 6. 7.
ws, i. e. by -what I have said of Apollos and myself, not to thinJc above that which is written. That is, not to estimate ministers above the scriptural standard. As Paul had been treating of this subject, above that lohich is written^ might seem naturally to refer to what he himself had just written. But as the phrase…
425 wordsSECTION 90I. CORINTHIANS 4, 7.8. 71
thinks you are better than others ? ' Tour superiority over your brethren is mere self-conceit and inflation. The differ- ence between you is only imaginary. Or, it may mean, ' Who is the author of this superiority ? * Admitting you to be as superior to others as you imagine, to whom are you indebted for it ? According…
432 wordsSECTION 91Y2 I. CORINTHIANS 4, 8. 9. 10.
ready attained the full blessedness of the Messiah's reign; that they had already attained, and were already perfect. He therefore adds, I would ye did reign. 'I would that the con- summation of Christ's kingdom had reaUy come, for then I would share with you in its glories.' I would to God is a translation not authori…
420 wordsSECTION 92I. CORINTHIANS 4, 10. 11. 12. 13. 73
In amplification of what he had just said, he contrasts, in this and the following verses, his situation with theirs. There are two things included in these contrasts. The opinion which the Corinthians entertained, and that which was entertained by others. We are fools on account of Christ ; our devotion to the cause o…
376 wordsSECTION 9314: I. CORINTHIANS 4, 12.13
We suffer it, i. e. we patiently submit to it without resistance or complaint. JBemg defamed, i. e. having evil deeds or mo- tives ascribed to us. We entreat (TrapaKakovixev), we exhort. That is, we endeavour to meet with kindness such injurious imputations, instead of repelling them with anger and indig- nation. In al…
454 wordsSECTION 94I. CORINTHIANS 4, 14.15. 75
14. I write not these things to shame yon, but as my beloved sons I warn (you). Not as shaming you (ivrpiTrwv) icrite I these things. The word used signifies to invert, to turn round, or back ; and then, generally, to move, and especially to move to shame. It may be rendered here, ' I write not these things as moving …
412 wordsSECTION 9576 I. CORINTHIANS 4, 15. 16. 17.
and minister. In himself he could do nothing. It was only as an instrument in the hand of Christ that he was successful in bringing them to the obedience of faith. Comp. Gal. 2. 8. By the gospel^ i. e. by means of the gospel. There are three agencies in the conversion of men. The efficiency is in Christ by his Spirit ;…
864 wordsSECTION 9678 I. CORINTHIANS 4, 18.19.20.
was afraid to come to Corinth, and therefore sent Timothy in his place. 19. But I will come to you shortly, if the Lord will, and Avill know, not the speech of them which are puflPed up, but the power. In opposition to this boasting of his opponents, Paul de- clares his purpose soon to visit Corinth, (f the Lord (i. …
390 wordsSECTION 97I. CORINTHIANS 4, 20.21. 79
God ; The children, or members of the kingdom, the phrase means the commmiity over which God reigns, whether in this world, or in the world to come. In the former sense the meaning is equivalent to the reign of God. Hence to say, Thy kingdom come, and to say. May God reign, is the same thing. Now as God reigns m the he…
462 wordsSECTION 9880 I. CORINTHIANS 4, 21.
is plain from this, as from numerous other passages, that the apostles exercised the right of discipline over all the churches ; they could receive into the communion of the church, or ex- communicate from it, at their discretion. This prerogative was uiseparable from their infallibility as the messengers of Christ, se…
72 wordsSECTION 99CHAPTER Y.
The case of the incestuous member of the church, va. 1—5. Exhortation to purity, and to fidelity in disciphne, vs. 6-13. Hepi'oof for retaining an imicorthy member iii the church. Vs. 1-13. The second evil in the church of Corinth, to wdiich Paul di- rects his attention, is allowing a man guilty of incest to remain i…
269 wordsSECTION 100I. CORINTHIANS 5, 1. 81
1. It is reported commonly (that there is) fornica- tion among you, and such fornication as is not so much as named among the GentUes, that one should have his father's wife. Having dismissed the subject of the divisions in the church of Corinth, he takes up the case of the incestuous member of that church. It is repo…
441 wordsSECTION 10182 I. CORINTHIANS 5, 1.2.
between near relatives, such marriages are not sins in the sight of God. To deny, therefore, the permanency of the law recorded in Lev. 18, is not only to go contrary to the authori- ty of the apostle, but also to teach that there is for Christians no such crime as incest. 2. And ye are puffed up, and have not rather …
415 wordsSECTION 102I. CORINTHIANS 5, 2.3.4.5. 83
mourning and supplication in order that it might be removed. It is a right inherent in every society, and necessary for its existence, to judge of the qualification of its own members ; to receive those whom it judges worthy, and to exchide the unworthy. This right is here clearly recognized as belonging to the church.…
416 wordsSECTION 10384 I. CORINTHIANS 5, 3.4.5.
execute his judgment, depended on his bodily presence. He was present in spirit. This does not mean simply that he was present in mind, as thinking of them and interested in their welfare ; but it was a presence of knowledge, authority, and power. Have judged already. That is, without waiting either for your decision i…
452 wordsSECTION 104I. CORINTHIANS 5, 3.4.5. 85
power of Christ being present.' Or with what follows, 'I have determined to dehver such an one with the power of Christ to Satan.' The sense is substantially the same. The sentence was to be passed and carried into effect in the name of Christ and by his power. To deliver such an o?ie mito Satan. There have from the e…
462 wordsSECTION 10586 I. CORINTHIANS 5, 6.6.7.
second time without sin unto salvation. It appears from 2 Cor. V, 9-12, that this solemn exercise of the judicial power of the apostle, had its appropriate effect. It led the offender himself, and the whole church, to sincere and deep repentance. 6. Your glorying (is) not good. Know ye not that a little leaven leavene…
412 wordsSECTION 106I. CORINTHIANS 5, 7.8. 87
for believers are holy.' For even^ {koX yap,) or, for also. This is a second reason why they should be pure ; for Christ our passover is slain for us. Is slain / rather, is sacrificed., as Oviii means to kill and offer in sacrifice., or, to slay as a vic- tim. When the paschal lamb was slain, the Hebrews were required …
441 wordsSECTION 10788 I. CORINTHIANS 5, 8. 9.
ness. HovrjpLa^ mckedness, is a stronger word than Ka/cta, badness. Any one who does wrong is Kaxos, bad ; but he who does evil with delight and with persistency, is novqpo^. Hence Satan is called 6 irov-qpos, " The evil one." JBut with the unleavened bread of si7icerity and truth. Sincerity and truth are the unleavene…
418 wordsSECTION 108I. CORINTHIANS 5, 9.10. 89
tercourse or to church communion. This indefinite command Paul explains, first, by stating that he did not mean to forbid social intercourse ; and then saying he did intend to prohibit Christian fellowship with the wicked. 10. Yet not altogether with the fornicators of this world, or with the covetous, or extortioners…
435 wordsSECTION 10990 I. CORINTHIANS 5, 10.11.
although ctSoiXov is constantly employed in that version in the sense oi false gods. For then ye must needs go out of the world. This is the reason why the apostle did not prohibit all intercourse with wicked men. We should have to seek another world to live in. 11. But now I have written unto you not to keep company,…
451 wordsSECTION 110I. CORINTHIANS 5, 11.12.18. 91
With such an one no not to eat. This does not refer to the Lord's supper, which is never designated as a meal. The meaning is, that we are not to recognize such a man in any way as a Christian, even by eating with him. It is not the act of eating with such persons that is forbidden. Our Lord eat with publicans and sinn…
394 wordsSECTION 11192 I. CORINTHIANS 5, 13. 6, 1.
communion just laid down. This passage is not inconsistent with the interpretation given to verses 3-5. In consequence of their neglect of duty, Paul determined to deliver the in- cestuous member of the Corinthian church to Satan. He calls upon them to recognize the validity of that sentence, and to carry it into effec…
70 wordsSECTION 112CHAPTER YI.
This chapter consists of two distinct paragraphs. The first, vs. 1-11, relates to lawsuits before heathen magistrates. The second, vs. 12-20, to the abuse which some had made of the principle, "All things are lawful." On going to law before the heathen. Vs. 1-11. Paul expresses surprise that any Christian should pros…
256 wordsSECTION 113I. CORINTHIANS 6, 1. 93
about property by arbitration among themselves. And the early Christians, who were not distinguished as a distinct class from the Jews, had no doubt the same privilege. It is not necessary, however, to assume that the apostle has reference here to that privilege. It was enough that these civil suits might be arranged w…
451 wordsSECTION 11494 I. CORINTHIANS 6, 1.2.
Christian principles ; but what Paul complained of was, not that the Corinthians could not get justice at the hands of heathen magistrates, but that they acted unworthily of their dignity as Christians in seeking justice from such a source. Paul himself appealed to Cesar. It was, therefore, no sin in his eyes to seek j…
435 wordsSECTION 115I. CORINTHIANS 6, 2.3. 95
30. Rev. 2, 26. 27. If then, asks the apostle, such a destiny as this awaits you, are ye untit to decide the smallest matters ? If the world (mankind) shall he judged by you {ev ti/xtv), i. e. before you as judges. Are ye u7iworthy (dva^tot), i. e. of too little weight or value, having neither the requisite dignity nor…
462 wordsSECTION 11696 I. CORINTHIANS 6, 3.4.6.
and is consistent with what the Bible teaches of the subordi- nation of angels to Christ, and to the church in him. 4. If then ye have judgments of things pertaming to this hfe, set them to judge who are least esteemed in the church. Paul laments that there were litigations among them ; but if they could not be avoid…
369 wordsSECTION 117I. CORINTHIANS 6, 6. 1. 8. 97
6. But brother goeth to law with brother, and that before the unbelievers. instead of referring the matter to the arbitration of a ju- dicious brother, ye go to law^ and that before unbelievers. There are here two grounds of complamt. First, that they went to law (KptVco-^ai) instead of resorting to arbitration (StaKp…
365 wordsSECTION 11898 I. CORINTHIANS 6, 8. 9. 10.
ye can patiently submit to injustice, ye are yourselres unjust and fraudulent. This must have been the case mth some of them, otherwise there would be no occasion for these lawsuits. Their offence was aggravated, because their own brethren were the object of their unjust exactions. 9. 10. Know ye not that the unrighte…
399 wordsSECTION 119I. CORINTHIANS 6, 10.11. 99
deemer's kingdom — but also those who break any of the com- mandments of God, as this and other passages of Scripture dis- tinctly teach. Behevers are, in the Bible, often called heirs. Their in- heritance is a kingdom ; that kingdom which God has estab- lished, and which is to be consummated in heaven, Luke 12, 32. M…
401 wordsSECTION 120100 I. CORINTHIANS 6, 11.
But ye are washed. The word here used (aKiKova-aa^^i) is in the middle voice, and therefore may be rendered, ye have washed yourselves^ or^ permitted yoitrsdves to he washed; or, as the majority of commentators prefer, on account of the following passives, ye were loashed. This use of the First Aorist Middle in a passi…
458 wordsSource & rights
Public-domain historical edition (1857). Text from OCR of an original Internet Archive scan; OCR may contain recognition errors.
Project Gutenberg source record →
Historical Christian writing; not Scripture.