Commentary on Corinthians - Volume 1 - Enhanced Version

Calvin's New Testament Commentaries #9

by John Calvin

Calvin’s Commentaries are classics of the first order, essential reading for anyone studying a Bible text. Reading Calvin nearly always leads to new insights on a passage. Philip Schaff said of Calvin that he “was an exegetical genius of the first order. His commentaries are unsurpassed for originality, depth, perspicuity, soundness and permanent value. He combined in a very rare degree all the essential qualities of an exegete—grammatical knowledge, spiritual insight, acute perception, sound judgment, and practical tact.”This edition features an artistic cover, a new promotional introduction, an index of scripture references, links for scripture references to the appropriate passages, and a hierarchical table of contents which makes it possible to navigate to any part of the book with a minimum of page turns.

Genres: Theology

584 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1980

About the author

French-Swiss theologian John Calvin broke with the Roman Catholic Church in 1533 and as Protestant set forth his tenets, known today, in Institutes of the Christian Religion (1536).

The religious doctrines of John Calvin emphasize the omnipotence of God, whose grace alone saves the elect.

* Jehan Cauvin
* Iohannes Calvinus (Latin)
* Jean Calvin (French)

Originally trained as a humanist lawyer around 1530, he went on to serve as a principal figure in the Reformation. He developed the system later called Calvinism.

After tensions provoked a violent uprising, Calvin fled to Basel and published the first edition of his seminal work. In that year of 1536, William Farel invited Calvin to help reform in Geneva. The city council resisted the implementation of ideas of Calvin and Farel and expelled both men. At the invitation of Martin Bucer, Calvin proceeded to Strasbourg as the minister of refugees. He continued to support the reform movement in Geneva, and people eventually invited him back to lead. Following return, he introduced new forms of government and liturgy. Following an influx of supportive refugees, new elections to the city council forced out opponents of Calvin. Calvin spent his final years, promoting the Reformation in Geneva and throughout Europe.

Calvin tirelessly wrote polemics and apologia. He also exchanged cordial and supportive letters with many reformers, including Philipp Melanchthon and Heinrich Bullinger. In addition, he wrote commentaries on most books of the Bible as well as treatises and confessional documents and regularly gave sermons throughout the week in Geneva. The Augustinian tradition influenced and led Calvin to expound the doctrine of predestination and the absolute sovereignty of God in salvation.

Calvin's writing and preaching provided the seeds for the branch of Protestantism that bears his name. His views live on chiefly in Presbyterian and Reformed denominations, which have spread throughout the world. Calvin's thought exerted considerable influence over major figures and entire movements, such as Puritanism, and some scholars argue that his ideas contributed to the rise of capitalism, individualism, and representative democracy in the west.

Reviews

[Steven H · Rating 5 out of 5]

THE NINTH VOLUME OF THIS EDITION OF CALVIN'S COMMENTARIES

Reformer John Calvin (1509-1564) provides a detailed, verse-by-verse commentary throughout the New Testament (except for 2 & 3 John, and the Book of Revelation).

He states, "Should anyone object that many, who once received the Word, afterwards fall away, I answer that the Spirit alone is the faithful and sure witness to each person of his election, and on that perseverence depends." (Pg. 23) He advises, "Let us therefore take note that there is nothing more out of keeping for Christians than their being divided from each other. For the most important principle of our religion is this, that we be in concord among ourselves." (Pg. 25)

In his discussion of Church offices, he suggests that "some of the offices, to which Paul is referring, are permanent, while others are temporary... The office of teacher belongs to the first class, that of apostle to the second... I am certain, in my own mind, that (Paul) means by prophets, not those endowed with the gift of foretelling, but those who were blessed with the unique gift of dealing with Scripture..." (Pg. 271)

His anti-"Papist" orientation is evident: e.g., "The Papists try to find support in (1 Cor 9:18) for works of supererogation, which they have invented" (pg. 193); "The Papists twist this verse in order to support the dogma... that the souls of the departed are praying for us to God" (Pg. 278); "the Papists are so obstinately stupid that not only do they make excuses for praying without understanding what you say, but they also prefer the ignorant to mutter and murmur in words that are unknown to them." (Pg. 292)

Calvin's commentaries are an important resource, particular for modern Reformed expositors.

[Bruno Melo · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mesmo sem os recursos que possuem os comentaristas modernos, me impressiona como Calvino é preciso em seus comentários. Além disso, possui um tom pastoral com boas aplicações.

Apesar de achar que existem melhores comentários hoje, acho que os de Calvino são recomendados no estudo de qualquer livro da bíblia.

[Peter Stonecipher · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the second of Calvin's Commentaries I have worked through. As with any commentary, one will not agree with every turn of interpretation Calvin takes, but this is first rate devotional literature and invaluable for building up a knowledge of God's word. Calvin's commentaries are biblical, clear, and succinct.

[Hector Barrowman · Rating 5 out of 5]

🐐

[Alex McEwen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was for the pure benefit of my cat Charles and our unborn baby. I didnt understand a single word of it.

I also gave an overwhelmingly mediocre sermon on 1 Cor 13 and about halfway through reading this and I don’t think even John Calvin could have saved my homiletics.

[Guillaume Bourin · Rating 4 out of 5]

A classic. Must read