Verse 1. And I, brethren. See 1 Corinthians 2:1. This is designed to meet an implied objection. He had said, 1 Corinthians 2:14-16, that Christians were able to understand all things. Yet, they would recollect that he had not addressed them as such, but had confined himself to the more elementary parts of religion when he came among them. He had not entered upon the abstruse and difficult points of theology --the points of speculation in which the subtle Greeks so much abounded and so much delighted. He now states the reason why he had not done it. The reason was one that was most humbling to their pride; but it was the true reason, and faithfulness demanded that it should be stated. It was, that they were carnal, and not qualified to understand the deep mysteries of the gospel; and the proof of this was unhappily at hand. It was too evident in their contentions and strifes, that they were under the influence of carnal feelings and views.
Could not speak unto you as unto spiritual. "I could not regard you as divested of the feelings which influence carnal men, the men of the world, and I addressed you accordingly. I could not discourse to you as to far-advanced and well-informed Christians. I taught you the rudiments only of the Christian religion." He refers here, doubtless, to his instructions when he founded the church at Corinth. See Barnes " :".
But as unto carnal. The word carnal here, \~sarkikoi\~ is not the same which in 1 Corinthians 2:14 is translated natural, \~qucikov\~. That refers to one who is unrenewed, and who is wholly under the influence of his sensual or animal nature, and is nowhere applied to Christians. This is applied here to Christians--but to those who have much of the remains of corruption, and who are imperfectly acquainted with the nature of religion; babes in Christ. It denotes those who still evinced the feelings and views which pertain to the flesh, in these unhappy contentions, and strifes, and divisions. The works of the flesh are "hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, envyings," Galatians 5:19-21, and these they had evinced in their divisions; and Paul knew that their danger lay in this direction, and he therefore addressed them according to their character. Paul applies the word to himself, Romans 7:14, "but I am carnal;" and here it denotes that they were as yet under the influence of the corrupt passions and desires which the flesh produces.
As unto babes in Christ. As unto those recently born into his kingdom, and unable to understand the profounder doctrines of the Christian religion. It is a common figure to apply the term infants and children to those who are feeble in understanding, or unable, from any cause, to comprehend the more profound instructions of science or religion.
{a} "unto spiritual" 1 Corinthians 2:14,15
{b} "babes" Hebrews 5:12,13; 1 Peter 2:2
Verse 2. I have fed you with milk. Paul here continues the metaphor, which is derived from the custom of feeding infants with the lightest food, Milk here evidently denotes the more simple and elementary doctrines of Christianity--the doctrines of the new birth, of repentance, faith, etc. The same figure occurs in Hebrews 5:11-14; and also in classical writers. See Wetstein.
And not with meat. Meat here denotes the more sublime and mysterious doctrines of religion.
For hitherto. Formerly, when I came among you, and laid the foundations of the church.
Not able to bear it. You were not sufficiently advanced in Christian knowledge to comprehend the higher mysteries of the gospel.
Neither yet now, etc. The reason why they were not then able he proceeds immediately to state.
{a} "hitherto" John 16:12
Verse 3. For ye are yet carnal. Though you are Christians, and are the friends of God in the main, yet your divisions and strifes show that you are yet, in some degree, under the influence of the principles which govern the men of this world. Men who are governed solely by the principles of this world evince a spirit of strife, emulation, and contention; and just so far as you are engaged in strife, just so far do you show that you are governed by their principles and feelings.
For whereas. In proof that you are carnal, I appeal to your contentions and strifes.
Envying. \~zhlov\~. Zeal; used here in the sense of envy, as it is in James 3:14,16. It denotes, properly, any fervour of mind, (from \~zew\~) and may be applied to any exciting and agitating passion. The envy here referred to, was that which arose from the superior advantages and endowments which some claimed or possessed over others. Envy everywhere is a fruitful cause of strife. Most contentions in the church are somehow usually connected with envy.
And strife. Contention and dispute.
And divisions. Dissensions and quarrels. The margin correctly renders it factions. The idea is, that they were split up into parties, and that those parties were embittered with mutual recriminations and reproaches, as they always are in a church.
And walk as men. Marg., according to man. The word walk is used often in the Scriptures in the sense of conduct or act. You conduct [yourselves] as men, i.e., as men commonly do; you evince the same spirit that the great mass of men do. Instead of being filled with love, of being united and harmonious as the members of the same family ought to be, you are split up into factions as the men of the world are.
{b} "whereas" James 3:16
{1} "divisions" "factions"
{2} "walk" "According to man"
Verse 4. For while one saith, etc. See Barnes "1 Corinthians 1:12".
{c} "I am of Paul" 1 Corinthians 1:12
Verse 5. Who then is Paul, etc. See Barnes "1 Corinthians 1:13". Why should a party be formed which should be named after Paul? What has he done or taught that should lead to this? What eminence has he that should induce any to call themselves by his name? He is on a level with the other apostles; and all are but ministers, or servants, and have no claim to the honour of giving names to sects and parties. God is the fountain of all your blessings, and whoever may have been the instrument by whom you have believed, it is improper to regard them as in any sense the fountain of your blessings, or to arrange yourselves under their name.
But ministers. Our word minister, as now used, does not express the proper force of this word. We, in applying it to preachers of the gospel, do not usually advert to the original sense of the word, and the reasons why it was given to them. The original word \~diakonoi\~ denotes, properly, servants, in contradistinction from masters, (Matthew 20:26; 23:11; Mark 9:35; 10:43;) and denotes those of course who are in an inferior rank of life. They had not command, or authority, but were subject to the command of others. It is applied to the preachers of the gospel, because they are employed in the service of God; because they go at his command, and are subject to his control and direction. They have not original authority, nor .are they the source of influence or power. The idea here is, that they were' the mere instruments or servants by whom God conveyed all blessings to the Corinthians; that they as ministers were on a level, were engaged in the same work, and that therefore it was improper for them to form parties that should be called by their names.
By whom. Through whom, \~di wn\~, by whose instrumentality. They were not the original source of faith, but were the mere servants of God in conveying to them the knowledge of that truth by which they were to be saved.
Even as the Lord gave to every man. God is the original Source of faith; and it is by his influence that any one is brought to believe. See Barnes "Romans 12:3,6". There were diversities of gifts among the Corinthian Christians, as there are in all Christians. And it is here implied,
(1.) that all that any one had was to be traced to God as its Author;
(2.) that he is a Sovereign, and dispenses his favours to all as he pleases;
(3.) that since God had conferred those favours, it was improper for the Corinthians to divide themselves into sects, and call themselves by the name of their teachers, for all that they had was to be traced to God alone. This idea, that all the gifts and graces which Christians had were to be traced to God alone, was one which the apostle Paul often insisted on; and if this idea had been kept before the minds and hearts of all Christians, it would have prevented no small part of the contentions in the church, and the formation of no small part of the sects in the Christian world.
{d} "even as the Lord" Romans 12:3,6; 1 Peter 4:11.
Verse 6. I have planted. The apostle here compares the establishment of the church at Corinth to the planting of a vine, a tree, or of grain. The figure is taken from agriculture, and the meaning is obvious. Paul established the church. He was the first preacher in Corinth; and if any distinction was due to any one, it was rather to him than to the teachers who had laboured there subsequently; but he regarded himself as worthy of no such honour as to be the head of a party, for it was not himself, but God who had given the increase.
Apollos watered. This figure is taken from the practice of watering a tender plant, or of watering a garden or field. This was necessary in a special manner in eastern countries. Their fields became parched and dry from their long droughts, and it was necessary to irrigate them by artificial means. The sense here is, that Paul had laboured in establishing the church at Corinth; but that subsequently Apollos had laboured to increase it, and to build it up. It is certain that Apollos did not go to Corinth until after Paul had left it. See Acts 18:18,27.
God gave the increase. God caused the seed sown to take root and spring up; and God blessed the irrigation of the tender plants as they sprung up, and caused them to grow. This idea is still taken from the husbandman. It would be vain for the farmer to sow his seed unless God should give it life. There is no life in the seed, nor is there any inherent power in the earth to make it grow. God only, the giver of all life, can quicken the germ in the seed, and make it live. So it would be in vain for the farmer to water his plant unless God should bless it. There is no living principle in the water; no inherent power in the rains of heaven to make the plant grow. It is adapted, indeed, to this, and the seed would not germinate if it was not planted, nor grow if it was not watered; but the life is still from God. He arranged these means, and he gives life to the tender blade, and sustains it. And so it is with the word of life. It has no inherent power to produce effect by itself. The power is not in the naked word, nor in him that plants, nor in him that waters, nor in the heart where it is sown, but in God. But there is a fitness of the means to the end. The word is adapted to save the soul. The seed must be sown, or it will not germinate. The truth must be sown in the heart, and the heart must be prepared for it--as the earth must be ploughed and made mellow, or it will not spring up. It must be cultivated with assiduous care, or it will produce nothing. But still it is all of God mss much so as the yellow harvest of the field, after all the toils of the husbandman, is of God. And as the farmer who has just views, will take no praise to himself because his corn and his vine start up and grow after all his care, but will ascribe all to God's unceasing, beneficent agency; so will the minister of religion, and so will every Christian, after all their care, ascribe all to God.
{e} "God gave the increase" 1 Corinthians 15:10
Verse 7. Any thing. This is to be taken comparatively. They are nothing ia comparison with God. Their agency is of no importance compared with his. See Barnes "1 Corinthians 1:28". It does mean that their agency ought not to be performed; that it is not important, and indispensable in its place; but that the honour is due to God. Their agency is indispensable. God could make seed or a tree grow if they were not planted in the earth. But he does not do it. The agency of the husbandman is indispensable in the ordinary operations of his providence. If he does not plant, God will not make the grain or the tree grow. God blesses his labours; he does not work a miracle. God attends effort with success; he does not interfere in a miraculous manner to accommodate the indolence of men. So in the matter of salvation. The efforts of ministers would be of no avail without God. They could do nothing in the salvation of the soul, unless he should give the increase. But their labours are as indispensable and as necessary, as are those of the farmer in the production of a harvest. And as every farmer could say, "my labours are nothing without God, who alone can give the increase," so it is with every minister of the gospel.
{a} "neither" John 15:5; 2 Corinthians 12:9-11
Verse 8. Are one. \~en eisin\~. They are not the same person; but they are one in the following respects:
(1.) They are united in reference to the same work. Though they are engaged in different things--for planting and watering are different kinds of work--yet it is one in regard to the end to be gained. The employments do not at all clash, but tend to the same end. It is not as if one planted, and the other was engaged in pulling up.
(2.) Their work is one, because one is as necessary as the other. If the grain was not planted, there would be no use in pouring water there; if not watered, there would be no use in planting. The work of one is as needful, therefore, as the other; and the one should not undervalue the labours of the other.
(3.) They are one in regard to God. They are both engaged in performing one work; God is performing another. There are not three parties or portions of the work, but two. They two perform one part of the work; God alone performs the other. Theirs would be useless without him; he would not ordinarily perform his, without their performing their part. They could not do his part, if they would--as they cannot make a plant grow; he could perform their part--as he could plant and water without the farmer; but it is not in accordance with his arrangements to do it.
And every man. The argument of the apostle here has reference only to ministers; but it is equally true of all men, that they shall receive their proper reward.
Shall receive. In the day of judgment, when God decides the destiny of men. The decisions of that day will be simply determining what every moral agent ought to receive.
His own reward. His fit or proper \~ton idion\~ reward; that which pertains to him, or which shall be a proper expression of the character and value of his labour. The word reward \~misyon\~ denotes, properly, that which is given by contract for service rendered; an equivalent in value for services or for kindness. See Barnes "Romans 4:4". In the Scriptures it denotes pay, wages, recompense given to day-labourers, to soldiers, etc. It is applied often, as here, to the retribution which God will make to men in the day of judgment; and is applied to the favours which he will then bestow on them, or to the punishment which he will inflict as the reward of their deeds. Instances of the former sense occur in Matthew 5:12, Matthew 6; Luke 6:23,35; Revelation 11:18; of the latter in 2 Peter 2:13,15. In regard to the righteous, it does not imply merit, or that they deserve heaven; but it means that God will render to them that which, according to the terms of his new covenant, he has promised, and which shall be a fit expression of his acceptance of their services. It is proper, according to these arrangements, that they should be blessed in heaven. It would not be proper that they should be cast down to hell. Their original and their sole title to eternal life is the grace of God through Jesus Christ; the measure, or amount of the favours bestowed on them there, shall be according to the services which they render on earth. A parent may resolve to divide his estate among his sons, and their title to anything may be derived from his mere favour; but he may determine that it shall be divided according to their expressions of attachment, and to their obedience to him.
{b} "every man" Psalms 62:12; Revelation 22:12
Verse 9. For we are labourers together with God. \~yeou gar esmen sunergoi\~. We are God's co-workers. A similar expression occurs in 2 Corinthians 6:1, "We then, as workers together with him," etc. This passage is capable of two significations: first, as in our translation, that they were co-workers with God; engaged with him in his work; that he and they co-operated in the production of the effect; or that it was a joint-work; as we speak of a partnercy, or of joint-effort among men. So many interpreters have understood this. If this is the sense of the passage, then it means that as a farmer may be said to be a co-worker with God when he plants and tills his field, or does that without which God would not work in that case, or without which a harvest would not be produced, so the Christian minister co-operates with God in producing the same result. He is engaged in performing that which is indispensable to the end; and God also, by his Spirit, co-operates with the same design. If this be the idea, it gives a peculiar sacredness to the work of the ministry, and indeed to the work of the farmer and the vine-dresser. There is no higher honour than for a man to be engaged in doing the same things which God does, and participating with him in accomplishing his glorious plans. But doubts have been suggested in regard to this interpretation.
(1.) The Greek does not of necessity imply this. It is literally, not we are his co-partners, but we are his fellow-labourers, i.e., fellow-labourers in his employ, under his direction--as we say of servants of the same rank they are fellow-labourers of the same master, not meaning that the master was engaged in working with them, but that they were fellow-labourers one with another in his employment.
(2.) There is no expression that is parallel to this. There is none that speaks of God's operating jointly with his creatures in producing the same result. They may be engaged in regard to the same end; but the sphere of God's operations and of their operations is distinct. God does one thing, and they do another, though they may contribute to the same result. The sphere of God's operations in the growth of a tree is totally distinct from that of the man who plants it. The man who planted it has no agency in causing the juices to circulate; in expanding the bud or the leaf; that is, in the proper work of God. In 3 John 1:8, Christians are indeed said to be "fellow-helpers to the truth"--\~sunergoi th alhyeia\~; that is, they operate with the truth, and contribute by their labours and influence to that effect. In Mark also, Mark 16:20, it is said that the apostles "went forth and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them"-- \~tou kuriou sunergountov\~, --where the phrase means that the Lord co-operated with them by miracles, etc. The Lord, by his own proper energy, and in his own sphere, contributed to the success of the work in which they were engaged.
(3.) The main design and scope of this whole passage is to show that God is all--that the apostles are nothing; to represent the apostles not as joint-workers with God, but as working by themselves, and God as alone giving efficiency to all that was done. The idea is that of depressing or humbling the apostles, and of exalting God; and this idea would not be consistent with the interpretation that they were joint-labourers with him. While, therefore; the Greek would bear the interpretation conveyed in our translation, the sense may perhaps be, that the apostles were joint-labourers with each other in God's service; that they were united in their work, and that God was all in all; that they were like servants employed in the service of a master, without saying that the master participated with them in their work. This idea is conveyed in the translation of Doddridge, "We are the fellow-labourers of God." So Rosenmuller. Calvin, however, Grotius, Whitby, and Bloomfield, coincide with our version in the interpretation. The Syriac renders it, "We work with God." The Vulgate, "We are the aids of God."
Ye are God's husbandry. \~gewrgion\~. Marg., tillage. This word occurs nowhere else in the New Testament. It properly denotes a tilled or cultivated field; and the idea is, that the church at Corinth was the field on which God had bestowed the labour of tillage, or culture, to produce fruit. The word is used by the Seventy in Genesis 26:14, as the translation of \^HEBREW\^, "For he had possession of flocks," etc.; in Jeremiah 51:23, as the translation of \^HEBREW\^, a yoke; and in Proverbs 24:30; 31:16, as the translation of \^HEBREW\^, a field; "I went by the field of the slothful," etc. The sense here is, that all their culture was of God; that as a church they were under his care; and that all that had been produced in them was to be traced to his cultivation.
God's building. This is another metaphor. The object of Paul was to show that all that had been done for them had been really accomplished by God. For this purpose he first says that they were God's cultivated field; then he changes the figure; draws his illustration from architecture, and says, that they had been built by him, as an architect rears a house. It does not rear itself; but it is reared by another. So he says of the Corinthians, "Ye are the building which God erects." The same figure is used in 2 Corinthians 6:16; Ephesians 2:21. See also Hebrews 3:6; 1 Peter 2:5. The idea is, that God is the supreme Agent in the founding and establishing of the church, in all its gifts and graces.
{c} "labourers together" 2 Corinthians 12:9-11
{1} "husbandry" "tillage"
{a} "building" Hebrews 3:6
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