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Theodoret of Cyrus

Nicene & Post-Nicene · AD 325–500 · 1,374 passages across 50 books

Commentary

21–40 of 1,374
1 Corinthians 2:12

Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.

Paul shows by saying this that the Holy Spirit is not a creature but has his own divine nature.

COMMENTARY ON THE FIRST EPISTLE TO THE CORINTHIANS 178

1 Corinthians 2:13

Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.

This does not mean that Paul did not have any human wisdom but that he preached in the wisdom of the Spirit.

COMMENTARY ON THE FIRST EPISTLE TO THE CORINTHIANS 178

1 Corinthians 2:14

But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.

The unspiritual man is one who is happy enough with his own ideas and who neither accepts nor understands the teaching of the Spirit.

COMMENTARY ON THE FIRST EPISTLE TO THE CORINTHIANS 178

1 Corinthians 2:15

But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man.

The person who has received the Spirit’s gift is equipped to teach others. Otherwise what he says is of no value at all.

COMMENTARY ON THE FIRST EPISTLE TO THE CORINTHIANS 179

1 Corinthians 2:16

For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.

Paul demonstrates with sufficient clarity that there is nothing lacking in God’s teaching. It is not simply that it contains the sum of all knowledge, but God also imparts wisdom so that we may understand it properly.

COMMENTARY ON THE FIRST EPISTLE TO THE CORINTHIANS 179

1 Corinthians 3:2

I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able.

Paul is saying that he adjusted the level of his teaching to their lack of understanding.

COMMENTARY ON THE FIRST EPISTLE TO THE CORINTHIANS 179

1 Corinthians 3:7

So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase.

Our labor is in vain without the help of God.

COMMENTARY ON THE FIRST EPISTLE TO THE CORINTHIANS 180

1 Corinthians 3:10

According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon.

We need to build on the foundation, not overthrow it.

COMMENTARY ON THE FIRST EPISTLE TO THE CORINTHIANS 181

1 Corinthians 3:12

Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble;

Some people think that this refers to the development of Christian doctrine, but a glance at the context will show that Paul is talking about morals and behavior here.

COMMENTARY ON THE FIRST EPISTLE TO THE CORINTHIANS 182

1 Corinthians 3:15

If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.

The teacher teaches what is right. Some follow him; others do not. Those who follow will be like gold and silver—purified by the fire and shining when they emerge from it. The others will be burned up. But the teacher will not lose anything by this. If he has been faithful, he will receive his reward regardless.

COMMENTARY ON THE FIRST EPISTLE TO THE CORINTHIANS 183

1 Corinthians 3:19

For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness.

The wisdom of this world is that which lacks the grace of God. It is purely human in character.

COMMENTARY ON THE FIRST EPISTLE TO THE CORINTHIANS 184

1 Corinthians 4:2

Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.

No banker plays fast and loose with other people’s deposits. Rather he looks after them in order to keep them safe for the one who has entrusted them to him.

COMMENTARY ON THE FIRST EPISTLE TO THE CORINTHIANS 188

1 Corinthians 4:3

But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged of you, or of man's judgment: yea, I judge not mine own self.

Paul accuses the Corinthians of two things. First, they exaggerate their praise, and second, they condemn others when they have no right to judge.

COMMENTARY ON THE FIRST EPISTLE TO THE CORINTHIANS 186

1 Corinthians 4:4

For I know nothing by myself; yet am I not hereby justified: but he that judgeth me is the Lord.

If I am unable to judge myself, how shall I presume to judge others?

COMMENTARY ON THE FIRST EPISTLE TO THE CORINTHIANS 187

1 Corinthians 4:9

For I think that God hath set forth us the apostles last, as it were appointed to death: for we are made a spectacle unto the world, and to angels, and to men.

The angels marvel at the apostles’ fortitude. As for human beings, some rejoice in the apostles’ afflictions, while others are moved to pity but have no help to offer.

COMMENTARY ON THE FIRST EPISTLE TO THE CORINTHIANS 189

1 Corinthians 4:16

Wherefore I beseech you, be ye followers of me.

By this Paul meant that if he was humble, they should also be humble. What he was prepared to suffer, they should be prepared to suffer. They were to glory in their hardships, not in their blessings.

COMMENTARY ON THE FIRST EPISTLE TO THE CORINTHIANS 190

1 Corinthians 4:20

For the kingdom of God is not in word, but in power.

It is not enough to preach the kingdom of God in order to be saved; one must also behave in a way which is worthy of the kingdom.

COMMENTARY ON THE FIRST EPISTLE TO THE CORINTHIANS 191

1 Corinthians 5:3

For I verily, as absent in body, but present in spirit, have judged already, as though I were present, concerning him that hath so done this deed,

None would expect anything else, implies Paul, once again showing how important the matter was.

COMMENTARY ON THE FIRST EPISTLE TO THE CORINTHIANS 192

1 Corinthians 5:5

To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.

We are taught by this that the devil invades those who are separated from the body of the church because he finds them deprived of grace.

COMMENTARY ON THE FIRST EPISTLE TO THE CORINTHIANS 193

1 Corinthians 5:9

I wrote unto you in an epistle not to company with fornicators:

Paul is not referring to another letter but to this one, for he has just said that a little leaven leavens the whole lump.

COMMENTARY ON THE FIRST EPISTLE TO THE CORINTHIANS 193

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