John Calvin on 1 Corinthians 3:23

23. Christ is God’s This subjection relates to Christ’s humanity, for by taking upon him our flesh, he assumed “the form” and condition “of a servant,” that he might make himself obedient to his Father in all things. (Philippians 2:7, 8.) And assuredly, that we may cleave to God through him, it is necessary that he have God as his head (1 Corinthians 11:3.) We must observe, however, with what intention Paul has added this. For he admonishes us, that the sum of our felicity consists in this, “Car il nous donne a entendre, et remonstre, que le comble et la perfection de nostre felicite consiste la;” — “For he gives us to understand, and shows, that the summit and perfection of our felicity consists in this.” that we are united to God who is the chief good, and this is accomplished when we are gathered together under the head that our heavenly Father has set over us. In the same sense Christ said to his disciples,

“Ye ought to rejoice, because I go to the Father, for the Father is greater than I,” (John 14:28,)

for there he set himself forth as the medium, through which believers come to the original source of every blessing. It is certain, that those are left destitute of that signal blessing, who depart from the unity of the Head. “Qui ne retienent ce seul Chef;” — “Who do not retain that sole Head.” Hence this order of things suits the connection of the passage — that those subject themselves to Christ alone, who desire to remain under God’s jurisdiction.

CHAPTER 4

1 Corinthians 4:1-5

1. Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God.

1. Sic nos aestimet homo ut ministros Christi, et dispensatores arcanorum Dei.

2. Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.

2. Caeterum in ministris hoc quaeritur, ut fidelis aliquis reperiatur.

3. But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged of you, or of man’s judgment: yea, I judge not mine own self.

3. Mihi viro pro minimo est, a vobis diiudicari, aut ab humano die: “De iour humain — c’est a dire, de iugement d’homme;” — “Of man’s day — that is to say, of man’s judgment.” imo nec me ipsum diiudico.

4. For I know nothing by myself; yet am I not hereby justified: but he that judgeth me is the Lord.

4. Nullius enim rei mihi sum conscius: sed non in hoc sum justificatus. Porro qui me diiudicat, Dominus est.

5. Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God.

5. Itaque ne ante tempus quicquam iudicetis, donec venerit Dominus, qui et illustrabit abscondita tenebrarum, et manifestabit consilia cordium; et tunc laus erit cuique a Deo.