who are called ) Refer the calling, ver. 26, to this word. — Xpufrbv, Christ) with His cross, death, life, and kingdom. [ The sur- name Crucified is not added in this passage. When the offence of the cross is overcome , the whole mystery of Christ is laid open. — Y. g.] — dvva/jbtv — (Hxptuvj power — wisdom ) Power is first expe- rienced, then wisdom.
25. Tod 0soD, of God) in Christ. — copdorepov — /ff^vponpovj wiser — stronger) ver. 30. — ruv dv&puvuv, than men) The phraseology is abbreviated ; 1 it means, wiser than the wisdom of men, stronger than the strength of men, although they may appear to themselves both wise and powerful, and may wish to define what it is to be wise and powerful.
26. BXs-rerg) ye see. For shows it to be the indicative mood. — rriv %kri<siv b/uuv, your calling) the state, in which the heavenly calling proves an offence to you ; so, calling , vii. 20. — ov croXXo/, not many) Therefore, however, some supply, have been called. As a comparison has been made with the preachers, so also with the hearers of the Gospel. The ellipse contains a euphemism [see Append.2] — xara ffdpxu, according to the flesh) a phrase nearly related to the expression, of the world , which presently after occurs in ver. 27. The world judges according to the flesh. — giiygvg ?g9 noble) who are generally also wise and powerful. \_Can it be believed , that this is the distinctive characteristic of the society of those , who , in our vernacular tongue (German) are styled Freymaurer, Freemasons. — Y. g.]
27. Ta) The article has this force : those things in particular and especially, which are foolish , etc. — JggXggaro, hath chosen [viz., in great numbers ]) Acts xviii. 10 — Y. g.] (aI have much people in this city,” i.e ., Corinth). This word is put thrice ; election \choosing~\ and calling, ver. 26, are joined in one ; Ez. xx. 5. The latter is a proof of the former. Election is the judgment of Divine grace exempting in Christ from the common destruction of men, those who accept their calling by faith. Every one who is called , is elected from the first moment of his faith ; and so long as he continues in his calling and faith, he continues to be elected; if at any time he loses calling and faith, he ceases to be
1 See App., under the title, Concisa Locutio.
2 2 oQoi, wise ) Hence such a small number of men were gained at Athens, which was the seat of Grecian wisdom. — Y. g.