Commentary on Philippians, Colossians, and Thessalonians

Comm on Phil, Col, Thes
28. Whom we preach. Here he applies to his own preaching everything that he has previously
declared as to the wonderful and adorable secret of God; and thus he explains what he had already
touched upon as to the dispensation which had been committed to him; for he has it in view to
adorn his apostleship, and to claim authority for his doctrine: for after having extolled the gospel
in the highest terms, he now adds, that it is that divine secret which he preaches. It was not, however,
without good reason that he had taken notice a little before, that Christ is the sum of that secret,
that they might know that nothing can be taught that has more of perfection than Christ.
The expressions that follow have also great weight. He represents himself as the teacher of all
men; meaning by this, that no one is so eminent in respect of wisdom as to be entitled to exempt
himself from tuition. “God has placed me in a lofty position, as a public herald of his secret, that
the whole world, without exception, may learn from me.”
In all wisdom. This expression is equivalent to his affirming that his doctrine is such as to
conduct a man to a wisdom that is perfect, and has nothing wanting; and this is what he immediately
adds, that all that shew themselves to be true disciples will become perfect. See the second chapter
of First Corinthians. (1 Corinthians 2:6.) Now, what better thing can be desired than what confers
upon us the highest perfection? He again repeats, in Christ, that they may not desire to know
anything but Christ alone. From this passage, also, we may gather a definition of true wisdom —
that by which we are presented perfect in the sight of God, and that in Christ, and nowhere else. 343
29. For which thing. He enhances, by two circumstances, the glory of his apostleship and of
his doctrine. In the first place, he makes mention of his aim, 344 which is a token of the difficulty
that he felt; for those things are for the most part the most excellent that are the most difficult. The
second has more strength, inasmuch as he mentions that the power of God shines forth in his
ministry. He does not speak, however, merely of the success of his preaching, (though in that too
the blessing of God appears,) but also of the efficacy of the Spirit, in which God manifestly shewed
himself; for on good grounds he ascribes his endeavors, inasmuch as they exceeded human limits,
to the power of God, which, he declares, is seen working powerfully in this matter.
Colossians 2:1-5
CHAPTER 2
1. For I would that ye knew what great 1. Volo autem vos scire, quantum certamen
conflict I have for you, and for them at Laodicea, habeam pro vobis et iis qui sunt Laodiceae, et
and for as many as have not seen my face in the quicunque non viderunt faciem meam in carne;
flesh;
2. That their hearts might be comforted, being 2. Ut consolationem accipiant corda ipsorum,
knit together in love, and unto all riches of the ubi compacti fuerint in caritate, et in omnes
343 “Et non en autre;” — “And not in another.”
344 “Son travaille et peine;” — “His labor and trouble.”
104
John Calvin