Commentary on Philippians, Colossians, and Thessalonians

Comm on Phil, Col, Thes
hear that they have the whole Church agreeing with them, and that they follow no other doctrine
than what the Apostles had alike taught and was everywhere received.
It is, however, a ridiculous boasting of Papists, in respect of their impugning our doctrine by
this argument, that it is not preached everywhere with approbation and applause, inasmuch as we
have few that assent to it. For though they should burst, they will never deprive us of this — that
we at this day teach nothing but what was preached of old by Prophets and Apostles, and is
obediently received by the whole band of saints. For Paul did not mean that the gospel should be
approved of by the consent of all ages 324 in such a way that, if it were rejected, its authority would
be shaken. He had, on the contrary, an eye to that commandment of Christ,
Go, preach the gospel to every creature; (Mark 16:15;)
which commandment depends on so many predictions of the Prophets, foretelling that the
kingdom of Christ would be spread over the whole world. What else then does Paul mean by these
words than that the Colossians had also been watered by those living streams, which, springing
forth from Jerusalem, were to flow out through the whole world? (Zechariah 14:8.)
We also do not glory in vain, or without remarkable fruit and consolation, 325 that we have the
same gospel, which is preached among all nations by the commandment of the Lord, which is
received by all the Churches, and in the profession of which all pious persons have lived and died.
It is also no common help for fortifying us against so many assaults, that we have the consent of
the whole Church — such, I mean, as is worthy of so distinguished a title. We also cordially
subscribe to the views of Augustine, who refutes the Donatists 326 by this argument particularly,
that they bring forward a gospel that is in all the Churches unheard of and unknown. This truly is
said on good grounds, for if it is a true gospel that is brought forward, while not ratified by any
approbation on the part of the Church, it follows, that vain and false are the many promises in which
it is predicted that the preaching of the gospel will be carried through the whole world, and which
declare that the sons of God shall be gathered from all nations and countries, etc. (Hosea 1:10-11.)
But what do Papists do? Having bid farewell to Prophets and Apostles, and passing by the ancient
Church, they would have their revolt from the gospel be looked upon as the consent of the universal
Church. Where is the resemblance? Hence, when there is a dispute as to the consent of the Church,
let us return to the Apostles and their preaching, as Paul does here. Farther, lest any one should
explain too rigidly the term denoting universality, 327 Paul means simply, that it had been preached
everywhere far and wide.
Of which I am made. He speaks also of himself personally, and this was very necessary, for we
must always take care, that we do not rashly intrude ourselves into the office of teaching. 328 He
accordingly declares, that this office was appointed him, that he may secure for himself right and
authority. And, indeed, he so connects his apostleship with their faith, that they may not have it in
their power to reject his doctrine otherwise than by abandoning the gospel which they had embraced.
324 “Car Sainct Paul n’ a pas voulu dire que l’approbation de l’Euangile dependist du consentement de tous siecles;” — “For
St. Paul did not mean to say, that the approbation of the Gospel depended on the consent of all ages.”
325 “Ne sans vn fruit singulier et consolation merueilleuse;” — “Not without remarkable fruit, and wonderful consolation.”
326 The Donatists were a sect that sprung up in Africa during the fourth century, and were, vigorously opposed by Augustine.
— Ed.
327 “Ce mot, Toute;” — “This word, All.”
328 “De prescher et enseigner;” — “Of preaching and teaching.”
98
John Calvin