291
33. "Xlm, therefore) The remedy and counsel suitably follow the reproof of vice, and the simpler the better. — -Ads X<poi /xov, my brethren) This appellation is suited to the conclusion.
34. n eivcZ, is hungry) that he may not wait. Anticipation.1 — Xo/cra, the rest) regarding the Lord’s Supper ; for presently after in this epistle he in like manner sets in order questions as to spiritual things.
1. Hi pi dz ruv ‘Tvzu/Aartzojv, Now concerning spiritual gifts) This is in the Neuter gender, ch. xiv. 1. Some may wonder, that there is no discussion in the other epistles also on the gifts, in which however other churches were not wanting, ch. xiv. 36 ; Gal. iii. 5 ; 1 Thess. i. 5, ii. 13. The abundance of gifts in the Greek churches was a powerful confutation of the learned but vain curiosity of the Greeks. The abuse of them afforded Paul an occasion of writing to the Corinthians ; and here we may observe the mark of divine wisdom, inasmuch as every book of the Sacred Scripture, even of the New Testament, has discussed certain subjects peculiar to itself. The Corinthians abounded in spiritual gifts, and yet Paul had occasion to write to them, as well on other matters, as also on this topic, and that too without delay : comp. ch. xi. at the end. Now, there is set forth here ; I. The unity of the body, verses 1—27. II. The variety of its members and functions, verses 27—30. III. The grand principle, on which the gifts may be rightly exercised, viz., by love, ver. 31, and in the whole of the following chapter. IV. The comparison of the gifts with one another, ch. xiv. — ob Qe\u b/xag ayvozTv, I would not have you ignorant) This expression is repeated in ver. 3 in synonymous terms, as if after a parenthesis. — ayvoztv, to be ignor- ant) ch. xiv. 38.
2. O’/dan, ye know) nearly related to the verb you remember, which is found in Eph. ii. 11. — oi'dan, or/, on zQvr\ r\n, npog ra,
1 See App. * Occupatio.’ It is the same as rTpoKct-rcx^Y^/g. Anticipa- tion of an objection which might be raised. — Ed.
202