Commentary on Philippians, Colossians, and Thessalonians

Comm on Phil, Col, Thes
In place of their obscene, or at least barely modest and decent, songs, it becomes you to make use
of hymns and songs that sound forth God’s praise.” Farther, under these three terms he includes
all kinds of songs. They are commonly distinguished in this way — that a psalm is that, in the
singing of which some musical instrument besides the tongue is made use of: a hymn is properly
a song of praise, whether it be sung simply with the voice or otherwise; while an ode contains not
merely praises, but exhortations and other matters. He would have the songs of Christians, however,
to be spiritual, not made up of frivolities and worthless trifles. For this has a connection with his
argument.
The clause, in grace, Chrysostom explains in different ways. I, however, take it simply, as also
afterwards, in Colossians 4:6, where he says, “Let your speech be seasoned with salt, in grace,”
that is, by way of a dexterity that may be agreeable, and may please the hearers by its profitableness,
so that it may be opposed to buffoonery and similar trifles.
Singing in your hearts. This relates to disposition; for as we ought to stir up others, so we ought
also to sing from the heart, that there may not be merely an external sound with the mouth. At the
same time, we must not understand it as though he would have every one sing inwardly to himself,
but he would have both conjoined, provided the heart goes before the tongue.
17. And whatsoever ye do. We have already explained these things, and what goes before, in
the Epistle to the Ephesians, where the same things are said almost word for word. As he had already
begun to discourse in reference to different parts of the Christian life, and had simply touched upon
a few precepts, it would have been too tedious a thing to follow out the rest one by one, he therefore
concludes in a summary way, that life must be regulated in such a manner, that whatever we say
or do may be wholly governed by the authority of Christ, and may have an eye to his glory as the
mark. 454 For we shall fitly comprehend under this term the two following things — that all our
aims 455 may set out with invocation of Christ, and may be subservient to his glory. From invocation
follows the act of blessing God, which supplies us with matter of thanksgiving. It is also to be
observed, that he teaches that we must give thanks to the Father through Christ, as we obtain through
him every good thing that God confers upon us.
Colossians 3:18-25
18. Wives, submit yourselves unto your own 18. Mulieres, subditae estote propriis maritis,
husbands, as it is fit in the Lord.
quemadmodum decet in Domino.
19. Husbands, love your wives, and be not 19. Viri, diligite uxores, et ne amari sitis
bitter against them.
adversus illas.
20. Children, obey your parents in all things: 20. Filii, obedite parentibus vestris per omnia:
for this is well pleasing unto the Lord. hoc enim placet Domino.
21. Fathers, provoke not your children to 21. Patres, ne provocetis liberos vestros, ne
anger, lest they be discouraged.
deiiciantur animis.
454 “Comme a son but principal;” — “As to its chief aim.”
455 “Toutes nos œuures et entreprinses;” — “All our works and enterprises.”
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John Calvin