201
cherishes humility , besides being subservient to awakening . — V. g.] The force of the participle is immediately explained, called to be saints , [said of the Gentiles , who are saints by calling , whilst the Israelites are so by descent] ; comp. Rom. i. 7, note. — <fuv <xa<n, with all) To be connected with, sanctified , and, saints , not with, to the Church ; compare ours, at the end of the verse. Consequently the epistle refers also to the other be- lievers in Achaia, 2 Cor. i. 1. The universal Church however is not shut up within the neighbourhood of Corinth. As Paul was thinking of the localities of the Corinthians and Ephesians, the whole Church came into his mind. The consideration of the Church universal sets the mind free from party bias, and turns it to obedience. It is therefore set forthwith before the Corinthians; comp. ch. iv. 17,. vii. 17, xi. 16, xiv. 33, 36. — roTg eKnca.'kovfjjtvotg) that call upon , so that they turn their eyes to Him in worship, and call themselves by His name ; comp. ver. 10, on the authority of the name of Christ. [This passage certainly prepares the way for that exhortation , which follows the verse now quoted (ver. 10). — V. g.] — avrciv [theirs], of them) near Corinth. — jJ/awv [ours], of us) where Paul and Sosthenes were then staying.
5. Aoyuj — yvuxsu, in word { utterance ) — in knowledge) The word (utterance) follows knowledge, in point of fact : and it is by the former that the latter is made known. He shows, that the Corinthians ought to be such in attainments, that it should be unnecessary to write to them. Moreover they were admirers of spiritual gifts ; therefore by mentioning their gifts, he gains over to himself their affections, and makes a way for reproof.
6. K aQhg, even as) That the Corinthians wanted nothing, he declares from this, that the testimony of Christ was confirmed in them. The particle is here demonstrative. — rov Xpiarov, of Christ) Christ is not only the object, but the author of this testimony, Acts xviii. 8, note. — g/3s/3a/w^, was confirmed) by Himself, and by the gifts and miracles, which accompanied it, xii. 3 ; 2 Cor. i. 21, 22 ; Gal. iii. 2, 5 ; Eph. iv. 7, 8 ; Heb. ii. 4.
7. "nm u/xag [jji\ \)<snpt7<sQcu, So that ye are not behind) This clause depends on ye are enriched by antithesis. — d-rs xds^o/^svovg, expecting, [waiting for]) The character of the true or false Chris- tian is either to expect or dread the revelation of Christ. [Leaving
202