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Ambrosiaster

Nicene & Post-Nicene · AD 325–500 · 1,043 passages across 16 books

Commentary

181–200 of 1,043
1 Corinthians 12:21

And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you.

The person who is greater in rank or dignity cannot do without those who are lower. For there are things which a humbler person can do which an exalted one cannot, just as iron can do things which gold cannot. Because of this, the feet perform an honorable function for the head.

COMMENTARY ON PAUL’S EPISTLES

1 Corinthians 12:22

Nay, much more those members of the body, which seem to be more feeble, are necessary:

No matter how elevated a person may be, if he has no one under him, his rank is worthless. The greatest emperor still needs an army.

COMMENTARY ON PAUL’S EPISTLES

1 Corinthians 12:23

And those members of the body, which we think to be less honourable, upon these we bestow more abundant honour; and our uncomely parts have more abundant comeliness.

Because our feet are lowly and lacking in dignity, we adorn them with shoes. It is clear that our private parts, which are thought to be shameful, cover themselves with respectability by avoiding public display, so as not to obtrude irreverently. Likewise, some of the brothers who are poor and unseemly in their dress are nevertheless not without grace, because they are members of our body. They go about in dirty little garments and barefoot. Though they may look contemptible, they are more to be honored because they usually lead a cleaner life. What men find despicable, God may find quite beautiful.

COMMENTARY ON PAUL’S EPISTLES

1 Corinthians 12:24

For our comely parts have no need: but God hath tempered the body together, having given more abundant honour to that part which lacked:

We do not have to add anything to those whose eagerness for expertise and respectability is obvious—the honor due to them is given already. But an exhortation is necessary regarding the despised and lowly, to ensure that due honor is given to them, so that they may be seen as useful. Otherwise, if these people are despised, they will become more negligent about themselves.

COMMENTARY ON PAUL’S EPISTLES

1 Corinthians 12:25

That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another.

Paul is saying that the human body is so organized that all its members are necessary, and because of this, all are concerned for one another. One cannot exist without the other, and parts which are thought to be inferior are usually more necessary. No one ought to be despised as useless.

COMMENTARY ON PAUL’S EPISTLES

1 Corinthians 12:28

And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.

Paul has placed the apostles at the head of the church. They may be identified with bishops, as Peter said of Judas: “Let another take his bishopric.” There are two types of prophets, those who predict the future and those who interpret the Scriptures. The apostles are also prophets, because the top rank has all the others subordinated to it. Even a wicked man like Caiaphas uttered prophecies on the strength of his rank, not for any virtue he might have possessed. Teachers are those who instructed boys in the synagogue, a practice which has come down to us as well.

COMMENTARY ON PAUL’S EPISTLES

1 Corinthians 12:29

Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers of miracles?

A church has only one bishop, and prophecy is not given to everybody.

COMMENTARY ON PAUL’S EPISTLES

1 Corinthians 12:31

But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way.

The graces of the Lord which are seen in persons do not relate to the merit of the individual but to the honoring of God.

COMMENTARY ON PAUL’S EPISTLES

1 Corinthians 13:1

Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.

It is a great gift to be able to speak in different languages. To speak with the tongues of angels is even greater. But in order to show that none of this can be ascribed to merit and that every tongue is subject to the glory of God, Paul adds that a man without love is like a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.Balaam’s ass spoke a human language in order to demonstrate the majesty of God, and children sang the praises of Christ in order to confound the Jews. In fact the Savior went further and declared that even stones could cry out if necessary.

COMMENTARY ON PAUL’S EPISTLES

1 Corinthians 13:2

And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.

Balaam prophesied even though he was not a prophet, and Caiaphas also prophesied. So did Saul when, because of his disobedience, he was filled with an evil spirit. Judas accompanied the other disciples and understood all the mysteries and knowledge given to them, but as an enemy of love he betrayed the Savior. Both Tertullian and Novatian were men of no small learning, but because of their pride they lost the fellowship of love and falling into schism devised heresies, to their own damnation.

COMMENTARY ON PAUL’S EPISTLES

1 Corinthians 13:3

And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.

Love is the very head of religion, and someone who has no head is dead.

COMMENTARY ON PAUL’S EPISTLES

1 Corinthians 13:10

But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.

Everything which is imperfect will be destroyed. But destruction occurs by making the imperfect perfect, not by removing it altogether.

COMMENTARY ON PAUL’S EPISTLES

1 Corinthians 13:11

When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.

In this life we are children, compared with what we shall become in the next life. For everything in this life is imperfect, including knowledge.

COMMENTARY ON PAUL’S EPISTLES

1 Corinthians 13:13

And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.

Love is the greatest because while faith is preached and hope pertains to the future life, love reigns. As 1 John [3:16] says: “By this we know his love, that he laid down his life for us.” Love is therefore the greatest of the three, because by it the human race has been renewed.

COMMENTARY ON PAUL’S EPISTLES

1 Corinthians 14:1

Follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy.

Paul says that prophecy is the highest gift after love because it is to the benefit and advantage of the church, since by it everybody learns the principles of God’s law.

COMMENTARY ON PAUL’S EPISTLES

1 Corinthians 14:3

But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort.

A person is built up when he finds out the answer to disputed points. Encouragement comes to him when he is enabled to endure. He is consoled when he continues in hope even when others are viewing his discipline with contempt. Knowledge of the law strengthens his soul and encourages him to hope for better things.

COMMENTARY ON PAUL’S EPISTLES

1 Corinthians 14:4

He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church.

Paul is saying that prophets are interpreters of the Scriptures.

COMMENTARY ON PAUL’S EPISTLES

1 Corinthians 14:5

I would that ye all spake with tongues, but rather that ye prophesied: for greater is he that prophesieth than he that speaketh with tongues, except he interpret, that the church may receive edifying.

Paul could not forbid speaking in tongues, because this is a gift of the Holy Spirit, but the pursuit of prophecy is more acceptable because it is more useful.

COMMENTARY ON PAUL’S EPISTLES

1 Corinthians 14:12

Even so ye, forasmuch as ye are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek that ye may excel to the edifying of the church.

The soul is stirred and rejoices when it learns something more about the Scriptures. The more it tends in this direction, the more it abandons vices. It is for these reasons that Paul advises that one should make efforts to communicate clearly.

COMMENTARY ON PAUL’S EPISTLES

1 Corinthians 14:14

For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful.

What can a person achieve if he does not know what he is saying?

COMMENTARY ON PAUL’S EPISTLES

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