Commentary on Philippians, Colossians, and Thessalonians

Comm on Phil, Col, Thes
righteousness is not conferred upon us in Christ, without our being at the same time regenerated
by the Spirit to the obedience of righteousness, as he teaches us elsewhere, that
Christ is made to us righteousness and sanctification.
(1 Corinthians. 1:30.)
The former we obtain by a gratuitous acceptance; 319 and the latter by the gift of the Holy Spirit,
when we are made new creatures. There is however an inseparable connection between these two
blessings of grace.
Let us, however, take notice, that this holiness is nothing more than begun in us, and is indeed
every day making progress, but will not be perfected until Christ shall appear for the restoration of
all things. For the Cœlestinians 320 and the Pelagians in ancient times mistakingly perverted this
passage, so as to shut out the gracious benefit of the remission of sins. For they conceived of a
perfection in this world which could satisfy the judgment of God, so that mercy was not needed.
Paul, however, does not by any means shew us here what is accomplished in this world, but what
is the end of our calling, and what blessings are brought to us by Christ.
23. If ye continue. Here we have an exhortation to perseverance, by which he admonishes them
that all the grace that had been conferred upon them hitherto would be vain, unless they persevered
in the purity of the gospel. And thus he intimates, that they are still only making progress, and have
not yet reached the goal. For the stability of their faith was at that time exposed to danger through
the stratagems of the false apostles. Now he paints in lively colors assurance of faith when he bids
the Colossians be grounded and settled in it. For faith is not like mere opinion, which is shaken by
various movements, but has a firm steadfastness, which can withstand all the machinations of hell.
Hence the whole system of Popish theology will never afford even the slightest taste of true faith,
which holds it as a settled point, that we must always be in doubt respecting the present state of
grace, as well as respecting final perseverance. He afterwards takes notice also of a relationship 321
which subsists between faith and the gospel, when he says that the Colossians will be settled in the
faith only in the event of their not falling back from the hope of the gospel; that is, the hope which
shines forth upon us through means of the gospel, for where the gospel is, there is the hope of
everlasting salvation. Let us, however, bear in mind, that the sum of all is contained in Christ. Hence
he enjoins it upon them here to shun all doctrines which lead away from Christ, so that the minds
of men are otherwise occupied.
Which ye have heard. As the false apostles themselves, who tear and rend Christ in pieces, are
accustomed proudly to glory in the name of the gospel, and as it is a common artifice of Satan to
trouble men’s consciences under a false pretext of the gospel, that the truth of the gospel may be
brought into confusion, 322 Paul, on this account, expressly declares, that that was the genuine, 323
that the undoubted gospel, which the Colossians had heard, namely, from Epaphras, that they might
not lend an ear to doctrines at variance with it. He adds, besides, a confirmation of it, that it is the
very same as was preached over the whole world. It is, I say, no ordinary confirmation when they
319 “Par l’acceptation gratuite de Dieu, c’est a dire pource qu’il nous accepte et ha agreables;” — “By God’s gratuitous
acceptance, that is, because he accepts of us, and regards us with favor.”
320 The followers of Cœlestius, who, along with Pelagius, held views subversive of the doctrine of original sin, the necessity
of divine grace, and other doctrines of a kindred character. — Ed.
321 “Vne relation et correspondence mutuelle;” — “A mutual relationship and correspondence.”
322 “Demeure en confus, et qu’on ne scache que c’est;” — “May remain in confusion, and it may not be known what it is.”
323 “Vray et naturel;” — “True and genuine.”
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John Calvin