A Paraphrase on the New Testament, 1 Corinthians
The Firſt Epiſtle of PAUL the Apoſtle to the CORINTHIANS.
The INTRODUCTION.
WHen it was that Paul wrote this Epiſtle, and when theſe Corinthians were converted to Chriſtianity, and what Wealth and Reputation Corinth (a Chief City of Achaia) was then of, I paſs by, as things preſuppoſed. The Occaſion of writing this, is of nearer concern to be known, for the underſtanding of it. It was not unuſual with him (as to viſit the Churches which he had planted, ſo) to write to them for their Eſtabliſhment, when he could not be preſent with them. But as to the Matter and Manner of his Writing, the Caſe of the Corinthians was the Occaſion. 1. There were ſeveral Caſes which it ſeems they propoſed to him, which he reſolveth; (as about Church-Order, and Propheſie, and Prayer; about Eating things offered to Idols; about Marriage and Separation, &c.)
2. There were many Scandals among them, which he endeavoureth to heal by convincing Reproof; as, 1. …actions and Schiſms, by ſetting up Teachers in envious Competition. 2. Conceitedneſs of more Wiſdom than they had. 3. Hearkning to envious Teachers, that villified him, and defamed his Perſon and Miniſtry. 4. The favouring of Inceſt and Scandal, and neglect of Diſcipline. 5. Going to Law againſt one another, and that before Heathen Judges, when they ſhould have decided their Differences by amicable Arbitration. 6. Defrauding and wronging one another. 7. Too eaſie Thoughts of Fornication. 8. Scandalous eating things offered to Idols. 9. Too much backwardneſs to maintain the Miniſters, and the Charges of their Work. 10. Prophane Diſorder at their Love-Feaſts and Sacrament, even to partiality, and Exceſs of Drink, and ſcandalous Unreverence, for which God punihſed ſome in the Fleſh. 11. Overvaluing Gifts, and undervaluing lower Chriſtians that wanted them; as not enough ſenſible of the Neceſſity and Extent of Chriſtian Unity. 12. Diſorder in their Sacred Aſſemblies in the Exerciſe of their Gifts. 13. Some erring about and againſt the Reſurrection, and others too much hearkning to them.
Theſe things Paul reproveth, and blameth them for not reforming; but perſuadeth none to ſeparate from that Church for all theſe Corruptions. But by this we may know what muſt be expected from young unskillful Chriſtians; and what Faults will be in ſuch Churches as ours, though the Paſtors were the beſt, when the Churches were ſo faulty in the Apoſtles Time and Preſence; and how far they are from the Apoſtolick Spirit, Skill, Love, and Lenity, who would Excommunicate all as intollerable Schiſmaticks, who Conform not to all their deviſed unneceſſary Additions, and dare not ſubſcribe their Juſtification or Approbation of all their Forms. And they alſo that quarrel with their Teachers, and forſake them, when Men of New Opinions and Zealous Confidence tempt them. And they that in ſtead of doing their own part to reform the Corruptions of ſuch Church, and in Love and Tenderneſs to draw Sinners to Repentance, do take the dividing lazie Courſe, to ſeparate from ſuch Churches with a few counted the beſt, who will put them to leaſt Labour and Trouble in Diſcipline. Paul himſelf held Communion with this and other ſuch Churches, notwithſtanding all theſe Faults: And we find not that he Excommunicated any one, though he require them to do it; and decreed to do it but on one, 1 Cor. 5. and reverſt that Purpoſe. I find not in all the New Teſtament that there was ever two Chriſtian Churches in any one Town or City, upon any Difference among them, unleſs you will call the condemned Neſts of Hereticks ſuch.