Commentary on Philippians, Colossians, and Thessalonians

Comm on Phil, Col, Thes
true perfection, nay more, they ought to have no place, inasmuch as injustice would otherwise be
done to Christ, as though it were necessary to call in those helps for making up his deficiencies.
13. Put on therefore. As he has enumerated some parts of the old man, so he now also enumerates
some parts of the new. “Then,” says he, “will it appear that ye are renewed by Christ, when ye are
merciful and kind. For these are the effects and evidences of renovation.” Hence the exhortation
depends on the second clause, and, accordingly, he keeps up the metaphor in the word rendered
put on
He mentions, first, bowels of mercy, by which expression he means an earnest affection, with
yearnings, as it were, of the bowels: Secondly, he makes mention of kindness, (for in this manner
I have chosen to render χρηστότητα,) by which we make ourselves amiable. To this he adds humility,
because no one will be kind and gentle but the man who, laying aside haughtiness, and high
mindedness, brings himself down to the exercise of modesty, claiming nothing for himself.
Gentleness — the term which follows — has a wider acceptation than kindness, for that is
chiefly in look and speech, while this is also in inward disposition. As, however, it frequently
happens, that we come in contact with wicked and ungrateful men, there is need of patience, that
it may cherish mildness in us. He at length explains what he meant by long-suffering — that we
embrace each other indulgently, and forgive also where any offense has been given. As, however,
it is a thing that is hard and difficult, he confirms this doctrine by the example of Christ, and teaches,
that the same thing is required from us, that as we, who have so frequently and so grievously
offended, have nevertheless been received into favor, we should manifest the same kindness towards
our neighbors, by forgiving whatever offenses they have committed against us. Hence he says, if
any one have a quarrel against another. By this he means, that even just occasions of quarrel,
according to the views of men, ought not to be followed out.
As the chosen of God. Elect I take here to mean, set apart. “God has chosen you to himself, has
sanctified you, and received you into his love on this condition, that ye be merciful, etc. To no
purpose does the man that has not these excellences boast that he is holy, and beloved of God; to
no purpose does he reckon himself among the number of believers.”
Colossians 3:14-17
14. And above all these things put on charity, 14. Propter omnia haec caritatem, quae est
which is the bond of perfectness.
vinculum perfectionis:
15. Et pax Dei palmam obtineat 443 15. And let the peace of God rule in your
in cordibus
hearts, to the which also ye are called in one vestris, ad quam etiam estis vocati in uno corpore,
body; and be ye thankful.
et grati sitis.
16. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly 16. Sermo Christi inhabiter in vobis opulente
in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one in omni sapientia, docendo et commonefaciendo
another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, vos psalmis, hymnis, et canticis spiritualibus cum
singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. gratia, canentes in cordibus vestris Domino.
443 “Regne, ou, gouerne;” — “Reign, or, rule.”
131
John Calvin