John Calvin Complete Commentary - 1 Corinthians 15:3 - 15:3

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John Calvin Complete Commentary - 1 Corinthians 15:3 - 15:3


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3.For I delivered to you first of all He now confirms what he had previously stated, by explaining that the resurrection had been preached by him, and that too as a fundamental doctrine of the gospel. First of all, says he, as it is wont to be with a foundation in the erecting of a house. At the same time he adds to the authority of his preaching, when he subjoins, that he delivered nothing but what he had received, for he does not simply mean that he related what he had from the report of others, but that it was what had been enjoined upon him by the Lord. (11) For the word (12) must be explained in accordance with the connection of the passage. Now it is the duty of an apostle to bring forward nothing but what he has received from the Lord, so as from hand to hand (13) (as they say) to administer to the Church the pure word of God.

That Christ died, etc. See now more clearly whence he received it, for he quotes the Scriptures in proof. In the first place, he makes mention of the death of Christ, nay also of his burial, that we may infer, that, as he was like us in these things, he is so also in his resurrection. He has, therefore, died with us that we may rise with him. In his burial, too, the reality of the death in which he has taken part with us, is made more clearly apparent. Now there are many passages of Scripture in which Christ’ death and resurrection are predicted, but nowhere more plainly (14) than in Isa_53:0, in Dan_9:26, and in Psa_22:0

For our sins That is, that by taking our curse upon him he might redeem us from it. For what else was Christ’ death, but a sacrifice for expiating our sins — what but a satisfactory penalty, by which we might be reconciled to God — what but the condemnation of one, for the purpose of obtaining forgiveness for us? He speaks also in the same manner in Rom_4:25, but in that passage, on the other hand, he ascribes it also to the resurrection as its effect — that it confers righteousness upon us; for as sin was done away through the death of Christ, so righteousness is procured through his resurrection. This distinction must be carefully observed, that we may know what we must look for from the death of Christ, and what from his resurrection. When, however, the Scripture in other places makes mention only of his death, let us understand that in those cases his resurrection is included in his death, but when they are mentioned separately, the commencement of our salvation is (as we see) in the one, and the consummation of it in the other.



(11)Que le Seigneur mesme luy auoit enseignee et commandee;” — “What the Lord himself had taught and commanded him.’

(12) “Le mot de receuoir ; ” — “ word receive.

(13) The Reader will find our Author making use of the same proverbial expression when commenting on 1Co_4:1, and 1Co_11:23. See volume 1, pages 150, 373. — Ed.

(14) “Il n’ en a point de plus expres, et ou il en soit traitte plus apertement;” — “ are none of them that are more explicit, or where it is treated of more plainly”