1 Corinthians 1

In the introduction which lasts to the 10. verse the Apostle in the first place puts his name, as writer of the Epistle, and the name of those whom he writes, with the usual Apostolick salutations. 4 Further thanks God for the benefits which he had already bestowed upon his Church, 8 and assures them of Christs faithfulness in finishing the work he had begun. 10 Cometh afterward to the matter it self, and declareth how he hath understood that there was division among them, and the one said I am of Paul, the other I am of Cephas, etc. 13 Reprehends them for it with divers reasons, and sheweth that of a token of unity there were baptized in the name of Christ alone. 18 Afterwards deals against them who boasted of worldly eloquence, and declares that God had not been powerfull amongst them by that, but by the simplicity of the preaching of a crucified Christ, 26 and that this power had manifested it self in the conversion, not of many wise and mighty among them, but of the mean and unwise according to the world, 29 that they might not boast in themselves, but only in Christ, in which they had all that was needful in salvation.

1. PAUL [Of the name Paul and that which followeth, see the annot. On Acts 13:9. and Romans 1:11.] a called Apostle of Jesus Christ, by the will of God and Sosthenes [some think that this was the same Softhenes, who before was a Ruler of the Synagogue at Corinth, and was converted unto Christ, Acts 18:17. and that he was now with Paul, or was departed from Corinth with him, because of persecution against him: but this is uncertain] the brother, [so he calleth this Softhenes, not only because he was a disciple of Christ, but also a principal teacher and companion of Paul, and in great esteem with the church, See the like, 2 Cor. 1.1. and Galatians 1:2.]

2. To the church of God which is at Corinth [This was the chief City of Achaia in Greece, situate betwixt two Seas, in the straight whereby Peloponnesus was joined to Achaia, a very rich and famous mart-town, and withal full of voluptuousness and luxury, which had been once laid waste by the Romans, but afterward in the time of Augustus Caesar was built up again, and brought to its former flourishing condition. See Acts 18:1.] the sanctification in Christ Jesus, [that is, who are by Christ and communion with him, separated from the communion heap of the world, up to a church of God] the called Saints, [namely, not outwardly, by the word, but also inwardly by the power of the Holy Ghost, whereby he understands the best part of the church, that is, true believers, of whom Christ speaks, Acts 18:10.] every place, [namely, of Achaia in which Corinth lay as is exprest 2 Cor. 1.1. Or of the world, where the name of Christ is called upon, as believers are described thereby, Acts 9 14. 2 Tim. 2.22. For that which Paul writes unto the church, is a prescript according to which all churches must regulate themselves: as Christ said unto his disciples, Mark 13:37.] both theirs and our (Lord.)

3. Grace be to you [See hereof, Romans 1:7.] and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.

4. I thank my God. [This is the word of faith, which acknowledgeth God for his God, Romans 1:8. and Christ his Saviour, Galatians 2:20. not to exclude other believers from it, but to prescribe them an example of true confession. See the like, Job 19:25. Psalms 18:3. and 23. 1. etc.] always concerning you, because of the grace of God which is given you in Christ Jesus: [or through Christ Jesus.]

5. That ye are become rich in him in all things, [That is, abundantly endowed with all manner of spiritual gifts through him. Hereby he lays a foundation to show that by these gifts they must not be high-minded or boast one against another, but that they must thank God in Christ for them, and use them for edification of one another in peace and unity] in all reasoning, [Or in every word. This is to be understood either of the gift being able, fitly to utter that which by knowledge was conceived by them, or of the word of the Apostle himself, whereby there were brought to this knowledge of all the mysteries of faith, Acts 20:20.] and all knowledge.

6. Even as the testimony of Christ [That is, the word of the Gospel of Christ, Rom. 16. as hereafter, 1 Cor. 2.1.] was confirmed among you. [namely, outwardly by divers miracles, which were done among them, 2 Cor. 12.12. and inwardly by the obligation of the Holy Ghost in their hearts, 1 Cor. 2.12. 2 Cor. 1.22. see also Mark 16:20.]

7. So that ye have want of no gift [Namely, needful of salvation and edification. Otherwise here we know but in part, and prophesy but in part, 1 Cor. 13.9. And this the Apostle speaks in general of the true Christians which were among them, whom afterwards he reprehends for the abuse of their gifts, in respect of the faults which were crept in, even among some of them] wait for the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ. [namely, in his second coming, in which we shall first be made perfect in all that which is yet wanting to us, 1 Cor. 13. v.10,11,12. see also 1 Pet. 1.7,13.]

8. Which (God) shall also confirm you [Or strengthen you, namely, in the faith and good which is already begun in you] even unto the end, (to be) unreproeable [that is, properly, whom no man shall not be able to accuse, Romans 8:1,33.] in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. [that is, in the last day, when Christ shall appear to judgment, and perfectly to redeem his, Romans 2:16. Ephesians 4:30.]

9. God is faithful [Namely, in the performance of his promises: whereby he hath promised that he will not forsake his. See Isaiah 49:15. Jeremiah 32:40. etc.] by whom ye are called to the communion of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord: [namely, not only the outward, whereby we process to have communion with Christ and his benefits: but especially the inward, wherein we are united to him by faith, and by the Sprit of Christ, and are partakers of all his benefits. See Romans 8:32. Ephes. 3.17. John 1:3.]

10. But I beseech you [Or exhort you. Here the Apostle begins to admonish them against schisms, and warn them, that they must not be respecters of persons among their teachers, seeing division riseth from thence: nor because of outward gifts adheres more to one then to another. And the teachers themselves, that they should not deck up the Gospel with humane wisdome or eloquence, but set it forth in simplicity and power of the spirit of Christ] Brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ [that is, by Christ or Christ sake] that ye all speak the same thing, [that is, use one manner of speaking of the same faith, or of the grounds of the same faith: namely, because from the diversity of speaking oftentimes comes diversity of opinions, are at least wise contending] and (that) there be no rents [Gr. Schismata, which are properly divisions which arise in the church about some differences in belief, which are not fundamental; or which concerns not faith it self, but love or outward orders only: which as well as heresies (which properly strikes at the foundation of the doctrine) are numbered among the works of the flesh, Galatians 5:20. although it be sometimes taken more largely also] among you, but that ye be joined together [or united, a similitude taken from a thing which consist of a divers parts, which joined one to another make one perfect work or body] in the same sense [or meaning, this is the other means to keep true unity in the church; namely, under the same manner of speaking, to hold all one meaning or opinion] and in the same opinion.

11. For it is made known to me concerning you my brethren, by them that (are of the household) of Chloe, [This seems to have been an honest matron, and of esteem among the Church of Corinth] that there are strifes among you.

12. And this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul, [Namely, a disciple, as also in the following] and I of Apollo, [that this Apollo also brought many to faith at Corinth, appears from acts 18.24.27.] and I of Cephas, [that is, of Peter. See John 1:43. Galatians 2:9. from whence nevertheless it follows not that Peter preached at Corinth also. But it may be that some of his disciples were there, who boasted of Peter or of Peters doctrine. For that they also abused the names of Paul, Cephas, and Apollo for this purpose, and not only the names of other teachers, appears by that which follows, chapter 4.6.] and I of Christ. [these were the simple and upright Christians who would not take any factious names of teachers upon them; and well therein.]

13. Is Christ divided? [From henceforward the Apostle brings forth divers reasons, whereby he proves that such divisions are unfitting. For first, hereby it seems that men would divide Christ, who only is the head of the church, when one part of the church only is named from Christ, and the other parts from Paul, Peter, Apollo and other teachers. Moreover also that Christ is not the only Redeemer of his Church; finally that they should be baptized in the name of some other then in the name of Christ] Is Paul crucified for you? Or are ye baptized in the name of Paul. [namely, hereby to take on you the name of Paul. See of this phrase Matthew 28:19.]

14. I thank God that I baptized none of you, save Crispus and Gaius.

15. That no man should say, that I have baptized in mine own name.

16. But I baptized also the household of Stephanas: further I know not whether I baptized any other.

17. For Christ sent not to baptize, [That is, not chiefly. For all the Apostles were sent to baptize, Matthew 28:19. and otherwise the Apostle might not have baptized these. But they left this service; whereunto less gifts were needful then to preaching, to other their disciples and teachers that they might lose no time. See Acts 10:48.] but to publish the Gospel. Not with wisdome [in the following words the Apostle the original from whence these divisions amongst the Corinthians had sprung; namely, from thence that some teachers sought to garnish up the uprightness and simplicity of the Gospel of Christ with humane eloquence, and to mingle it with human wisdome or philosophy, whereby the ears of some of the hearers were tickled, and despised other upright teachers or passed them by: which practice the Apostle confutes by his own example and other reason] of words, [Gr. Word, or speech, namely, which humane wisdome teacheth. 1 Cor. 2.4. Or with artificial eloquence] that the cross of Christ [that is, the word of the cross, as is expounded in the following verse] be not made vain. [that is, be not deprived of its praise and virtue, which is done when men ascribe the same to humane wisdome or eloquence.]

18. For the word of the cross [That is, the doctrine of the Gospel of Christ who was crucified for us] is indeed to them that perish foolishness: [that is, is by them held for foolishness, and by the worldly wise so accounted] but to us who are saved, it is a power of God. [that is, a means whereby the spirit of Christ powerfully worketh in us faith and generation for our salvation, Romans 1:16. 2 Cor. 3.3,4.]

19. For it is written, I will cause the wisdome of the wise [That is, who are accounted worldly wise, or who ascribe such wisdome themselves. The Prophets relates these words against those who despise the word of God propounded by the Prophet, and more esteemed of humane doctrine] to perish, And I will bring naught the understanding of intelligent.

20. Where is the wise? [That is, worldly wise. These words seem to be taken out of Esa. 33.18. where the like, though somewhat altered, are found: or they are the words of Paul himself which he draws from the foregoing testimony. But the sense comes all to one] where is the Scribe? Where is the inquirer of this age? Hath not God made foolish [that is, showed it to be foolish: or else by a righteous judgment given it up to foolishness. See Rom. 1,21,22.] the wisdome of the world [namely, when men will measure divine things according to the same.]

21. For after that in the wisdome of God, [That is, in the creatures of Heaven and Earth, by which God reveals his wisdome in an special manner, Romans 1:20.] the world knew not God [namely, as it ought, and as was necessary to salvation, Romans 1:18,20.] by wisdome, [that is, by the preaching of Christ crucified, which worldly men accounts foolishness, v.23.] to save them that believe.

22. Forasmuch the Jews desire a sign [That is, miracles. See Matthew 16:4. John 4:48.] and the Greek seek wisdome. [that is, reasons which are accounted wisdome by the humane understanding.]

23. But we preach Christ the crucified, to the Jews indeed an offence, [Namely, by reason of his mean and despised estate in the world, seeing they looked for a mighty King in the world, which should cause them as little Kings to reign over others See also Luke 2:34.] and to the Greeks foolishness. [namely, that we should obtain life by a crucified man.]

24. But to them that are called, [Namely, not only outwardly by the word for the former are also called which perish; but also inwardly and effectually by the Spirit of God, and according to his purpose, Romans 8:28,30. and here verse26,27.] both Jews and Greeks (we preach) Christ [hereby may be understood either the preaching of Christ which before ver. 18. is also called the power of God: or Christ himself who is called the power and wisdome of God because he is the express image of the Fathers person, by whom he hath manifested his divine power and wisdome above all things, in the redemption of mankind, ver. 30. See Prov. 8. Matthew 11:19. Luke 11:49.] the power of God and the wisdome of God.

25. For that which is foolish of God [That is, that which worldly men account foolish, is wiser then which are with all worldly wisdome] is wiser then men: and that which is weak of God [that is, that which they account weak and of no power to bring men to salvation, is stronger or more powerfull then with all their arrogant eloquence and elegance] is stronger then men.

26. For ye see your calling brethren [Or, see your calling, i.e. how you are called: or those that are called among you, namely, to the communion of Christ and his Church] that (ye are) not many wise according to the flesh [that is, according to the outward state and estimation of men] not many mighty, not many Noble.

27. But that which is foolish of the worldly, [That is, those that the worldly wise account foolish, weak, ignorable etc] hath God elected, [that is, according to his eternal election brought to his Church] that he might shame the wise: and that which is weak of the worldly hath God elected, that he might shame that which is strong. [that is, might show that it avails nothing before God in matters of salvation, but is vain.]

28. And that which is ignoble of the world, and that which is despised, hath God elected, and that which is not, [That is, that is esteemed so mean as if it were nothing, 1 Cor. 3.7.] that he might bring to naught [that is, show to be unprofitable and vain] that which is (anything) [that is, that which is esteemed to be ought or some great thing.]

29. That no flesh [That is, no man as Galatians 2:16. namely, as if they were anything in him, whereby God should be moved to show him this grace rather then others] should glory before him.

30. But of him [That is, by his grace and power, as Romans 11:36. See also 1 John 4.ver.2,4,6.] are ye in Christ Jesus, [that is, united to Christ by faith, Romans 8:1.] who is become wisdome to us of God, and righteousness, and sanctification [that is, the cause and matter of all true wisdome, and righteousness, and sanctification] and redemption. [namely, from all evils and miseries of body and soul, which shall perfectly come to pass at the last day, which is therefore called the day of redemption, Ephesians 4:30. See also Luke 21:28. Romans 8:23.]

31. That (it may be) as it is written, he that glorifieth, let him glory in the Lord. [That is, ascribe all to him alone with thanksgiving, Jeremiah 23:24.]