John Calvin Commentary 1 Corinthians 10:11

"Now these things happened unto them by way of example; and they were written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the ages are come." — 1 Corinthians 10:11 (ASV)

Now all these things happened as types. He repeats again that all these things happened to the Israelites so that they might be types for us—that is, examples in which God places His judgments before our eyes.

I am well aware that others philosophize on these words with great refinement. However, I believe I have fully expressed the Apostle’s meaning when I say that by these examples, like so many pictures, we are instructed about what judgments of God are impending over idolaters, fornicators, and others who despise God.

For they are lively pictures, representing God as angry on account of such sins. This exposition, besides being simple and accurate, has this additional advantage: it blocks the path of certain madmen who wrest this passage to prove that among that ancient people nothing was done except what was shadowy.

First of all, they assume that those people are a figure of the Church. From this they infer that everything God promised to them or accomplished for them—all benefits, all punishments—only prefigured what needed to be accomplished in reality after Christ’s advent. This is a most pestilential frenzy, which does great injury to the holy fathers, and much greater still to God.

For those people were a figure of the Christian Church in such a way as to be at the same time a true Church. Their condition represented ours in such a way that there was at the same time, even then, a proper condition of a Church. The promises given to them shadowed forth the gospel in such a way that they had it included in them.

Their sacraments served to prefigure ours in such a way that they were nevertheless, even for that period, true sacraments, having a present efficacy. In short, those who at that time made a right use of both doctrine and signs were endowed with the same spirit of faith as we are.

Therefore, these madmen derive no support from these words of Paul, which do not mean that the things done in that age were types in such a way as to have no reality at that time, but were a mere empty show. Furthermore, they expressly teach us (as we have explained) that those things which may be of use for our admonition are set before us there, as in a picture.

They are written for our admonition. This second clause explains the former, for it was of no importance to the Israelites, but exclusively to us, that these things should be recorded.

It does not, however, follow from this that these inflictions were not true chastisements from God, suited for their correction at that time. Rather, just as God then inflicted His judgments, so He designed that they should be kept in everlasting remembrance for our instruction.

For what advantage was their history to the dead? And as for the living, how would it benefit them unless they repented, being admonished by the examples of others? Now, he takes for granted the principle on which all pious persons ought to agree: that there is nothing revealed in the Scriptures that is not profitable to know.

Upon whom the ends of the world have come. The word τέλη (ends) sometimes means mysteries, and that meaning would not suit this passage.

I follow, however, the common rendering as being simpler. He says then that the ends of all ages have come upon us, since the fullness of all things is suitable to this age, for it is now the last times.

For the kingdom of Christ is the main object of the Law and of all the Prophets. But this statement of Paul conflicts with the common opinion that God, while more severe under the Old Testament and always ready and armed for the punishment of crimes, has now become more yielding to entreaty and more ready to forgive.

They also explain our being under the law of grace in this sense: that we find God more easily appeased than the ancients did. But what does Paul say? If God inflicted punishment upon them, He will not therefore spare you.

Away, then, with the error that God is now more remiss in exacting the punishment of crimes! It must, indeed, be acknowledged that by Christ’s advent, God’s goodness has been more openly and abundantly poured forth towards men; but what has this to do with impunity for the wicked, who abuse His grace?

Only this one thing must be noted: today the mode of punishment is different. For as God in ancient times was more prepared to reward the pious with outward signs of His blessing, so that He might testify His fatherly love to them, so He also showed His wrath more by corporal punishments.

Now, on the other hand, in the fuller revelation we enjoy, He does not as frequently inflict visible punishments, and does not as frequently inflict corporal punishment even upon the wicked. You will find more on this subject in my Institutes.