Commentary on Philippians, Colossians, and Thessalonians

Comm on Phil, Col, Thes
22. Servants, obey in all things your masters 22. Servi, obedite per omnia iis, qui
according to the flesh; not with eyeservice, as secundum carnem sunt domini: non exhibitis ad
menpleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing oculum obsequiis, tanquam hominibus placere
God: studentes, sed in simplicitate cordis, ut qui
timeatis Deum.
23. And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as 23. Et quicquid feceritis, ex animo facite,
to the Lord, and not unto men;
tanquam Domino, et non hominibus:
24. Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive 24. Scientes quod a Domino recipietis
the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the mercedem hereditatis, nam Domino Christo
Lord Christ.
servitis.
25. But he that doeth wrong shall receive for 25. Qui autem iniuste egerit, mercedem
the wrong which he hath done: and there is no reportabit suae iniquitatis: et non est personarum
respect of persons.
acceptio. (Deuteronomy 10:17.)
18 Wives, be subject. Now follow particular duties, as they are called, 456 which depend on the
calling of individuals. In handling these it were superfluous to take up many words, inasmuch as I
have already stated in the Epistle to the Ephesians 457 almost everything that was necessary. Here
I shall only add briefly such things as are more particularly suited to an exposition of the passage
before us.
He commands wives to be subject. This is clear, but what follows is of doubtful signification
— as it is fit in the Lord. For some connect it thus — “Be subject in the Lord, as it is fit.” I, however,
view it rather differently, — As it is fit in the Lord, that is, according to the appointment of the
Lord, so that he confirms the subjection of wives by the authority of God. He requires love on the
part of husbands, and that they be not bitter, because there is a danger lest they should abuse their
authority in the way of tyranny.
20 Children, obey your parents. He enjoins it upon children to obey their parents, 458 without
any exception. But what if parents 459 should feel disposed to constrain them to anything that is
unlawful; will they in that case, too, obey without any reservation? Now it were worse than
unreasonable, that the, authority of men should prevail at the expense of neglecting God. I answer,
that here, too, we must understand as implied what he expresses elsewhere, (Ephesians 6:1) — in
the Lord. But for what purpose does he employ a term of universality? I answer again, that it is to
shew, that obedience must be rendered not merely to just commands, but also to such as are
unreasonable. 460 For many make themselves compliant with the wishes of their parents only where
the command is not grievous or inconvenient. But, on the other hand, this one thing ought to be
considered by children — that whoever may be their parents, they have been allotted to them by
the providence of God, who by his appointment makes children subject to their parents.
456 “Les enseignemens concernans le deuoir particulier d’vn chacun;” — “Instructions relating to the particular duty of each
individual.”
457 I believe Calvin is referring to his commentary on Ephesians 5:21-6:9, — v.41 p. 317. — fj.
458 “Leurs peres et meres;” — “Their fathers and mothers.”
459 “Les peres ou les meres;” — “Fathers or mothers.”
460 “C’est a dire, fascheux et rigoureux;” — “That is to say, grievous and rigorous.”
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John Calvin