John Calvin Commentary 1 Corinthians 11:18

"For first of all, when ye come together in the church, I hear that divisions exist among you; and I partly believe it." — 1 Corinthians 11:18 (ASV)

His reproof of the fault previously mentioned was only a mild and gentle admonition, because the Corinthians sinned in ignorance, so it was proper that they should be readily forgiven. Paul, too, had praised them at the outset, because they had faithfully kept his enactments (1 Corinthians 11:2). Now he begins to reprove them more sharply, because they offended more grievously in some things, and not through ignorance.

17. But, in warning you as to this, I do not praise. I translate it this way because Paul appears to have made the participle and the verb change places. I am also not satisfied with the interpretation of Erasmus, who takes παραγγέλλειν as meaning to command. The verb to warn would suit better, but I do not contend this point.

There is an antithesis between this clause and the beginning of this chapter. “While I have praised you, do not think that it is unqualified commendation; for I have something to find fault with, as it is worthy of severe reproof.” This, however, in my opinion, does not refer exclusively to the Lord’s Supper, but also to other faults which he mentions. Let this then be taken as a general statement: the Corinthians are reproved because they came together not for the better but for the worse. Particular effects of this evil will be brought forward afterwards.

He finds fault with them, then: first, because they come not together for the better; and secondly, that they come together for the worse. The second, it is true, is the more serious, but even the first is not to be endured. For if we consider what takes place in the Church, there ought never to be a coming together without some fruit.

There the doctrine of God is listened to, prayers are offered up, and the Sacraments are administered. The fruit of the Word includes:

• Confidence in God and fear of Him are increased in us.

• Progress is made in holiness of life.

• We put off more and more the old man (Colossians 3:9).

• We advance in newness of life (Romans 6:4), and so on.

The Sacraments tend to foster piety and love in us. The prayers, too, ought to contribute to all these purposes. In addition to this, the Lord works efficaciously by his Spirit, because he does not want his ordinances to be futile. Hence, if the sacred assemblies are of no benefit to us, and we are not made better by them, our ingratitude is to blame, and therefore we deserve to be reproved. For the effect of our conduct is that those things which, by their own nature and God’s appointment, ought to have been salutary, become unprofitable.

Then follows the second fault: that they come together for the worse. This is much more criminal, and yet it almost always follows the other. For if we derive no advantage from God’s benefits, he employs this method of punishing our carelessness—that we are made worse by them. It usually happens, too, that negligence gives birth to many corruptions, especially because those who do not observe the natural use of things usually fall soon into hurtful inventions.

When ye come together in the Church, I hear there are divisions. Some take the words divisions and heresies as referring to that disorder (ἀταξίαν) which he discusses shortly. I consider them to have a more extensive meaning, and it is certainly not likely that he would use terms so improper and unsuitable to expose that abuse. As for their claim that he has expressed himself in more severe terms to expose more fully the heinousness of the offense, I would readily grant this, if the meaning corresponded.

It is, then, a reproof of a general kind: that they were not of one accord, as is fitting for Christians, but everyone was so preoccupied with his own interests that he was not prepared to accommodate himself to others. From this arose that abuse, which we will see shortly; from this sprang ambition and pride, so that everyone exalted himself and despised others; from this sprang carelessness about edification; from this sprang profanation of the gifts of God.

He says that he partly believes it, so that they would not think that he charged them all with this heinous crime, and might accordingly complain that they were groundlessly accused. In the meantime, however, he intimates that this had been brought to him not by mere vague rumor, but by credible information, such as he could not altogether discredit.