Commentary on Philippians, Colossians, and Thessalonians

Comm on Phil, Col, Thes
perpetuity of peace with God, to have a fixed standing in righteousness, so as to have no longer
any fear of fall or revolt. Farther, in that very obedience which they render to God, there is not such
absolute perfection as to give satisfaction to God in every respect, and without the need of pardon.
And this beyond all doubt is what is meant by that statement in Job 4:18, He will find iniquity in
his angels. For if it is explained as referring to the devil, what mighty thing were it? But the Spirit
declares there, that the greatest purity is vile, 315 if it is brought into comparison with the righteousness
of God. We must, therefore, conclude, that there is not on the part of angels so much of righteousness
as would suffice for their being fully joined with God. They have, therefore, need of a peace maker,
through whose grace they may wholly cleave to God. Hence it is with propriety that Paul declares,
that the grace of Christ does not reside among mankind alone, and on the other hand makes it
common also to angels. Nor is there any injustice done to angels, in sending them to a Mediator,
that they may, through his kindness, have a well grounded peace with God.
Should any one, on the pretext of the universality of the expression, 316 move a question in
reference to devils, whether Christ be their peace maker also? I answer, No, not even of wicked
men: though I confess that there is a difference, inasmuch as the benefit of redemption is offered
to the latter, but not to the former. 317 This, however, has nothing to do with Paul’s words, which
include nothing else than this, that it is through Christ alone, that, all creatures, who have any
connection at all with God, cleave to him.
Colossians 1:21-23
21. And you, that were sometime alienated 21. Et vos quum aliquando essetis alienati, et
and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet inimici cogitatione in operibus malis,
now hath he reconciled
22. In the body of his flesh through death, to 22. Nunc reconciliavit in corpore carnis suae
present you holy and unblameable and per mortem; ut sisteret vos sanctos et
unreproveable in his sight:
irreprehensibiles in conspectu suo:
23. If ye continue in the faith grounded and 23. Si quidem permanetis fide fundati et
settled, and be not moved away from the hope of firmi, et non dimoveamini a spe Evangelii quod
the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was audistis: quod praedicatum est apud universam
preached to every creature which is under heaven; creaturam, quae sub coelo est: cuius factus sum
whereof I Paul am made a minister;
ego Paulus minister.
21. And whereas ye were formerly. The general doctrine which he had set forth he now applies
particularly to them, that they may feel that they are guilty of very great ingratitude, if they allow
themselves to be drawn away from Christ to new inventions. And this arrangement must be carefully
observed, because the particular application of a doctrine, so to speak, affects the mind more
315 “Que la plus grande purete qu’on pourroit trouuer, ne sera que vilenie et ordure;” — “That the greatest purity that could be
found will be nothing but filth and pollution.”
316 “Sous ombre de ce mot, Toutes choses;” — “Under the pretext of this word, All things.”
317 “Est offert aux meschans et reprouuez, et non pas aix diables;” — “Is offered to the wicked and reprobate, but not to devils.”
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John Calvin