Commentary on Philippians, Colossians, and Thessalonians

Comm on Phil, Col, Thes
In all things, therefore, that they may not refuse anything, however difficult or disagreeable —
in all things, that in things indifferent they may give deference to the station which their parents
occupy — in all things, that they may not put themselves on a footing of equality with their parents,
in the way of questioning and debating, or disputing, it being always understood that conscience
is not to be infringed upon. 461 He prohibits parents from exercising an immoderate harshness, lest
their children should be so disheartened as to be incapable of receiving any honorable training; for
we see, from daily experience, the advantage of a liberal education.
22 Servants, be obedient. Anything that is stated here respecting servants requires no exposition,
as it has been already expounded in commenting on Ephesians 6:1, with the exception of these two
expressions, — For we serve the Lord Christ; and, He that will act unjustly will receive the reward
of his iniquity.
By the former statement he means, that service is done to men in such a way that Christ at the
same time holds supremacy of dominion, and is the supreme master. Here, truly, is choice consolation
for all that are under subjection, inasmuch as they are informed that, while they willingly serve
their masters, their services are acceptable to Christ, as though they had been rendered to him. From
this, also, Paul gathers, that they will receive from him a reward, but it is the reward of inheritance,
by which he means that the very thing that is bestowed in reward of works is freely given to us by
God, for inheritance comes from adoption.
In the second clause he again comforts servants, by saying that, if they are oppressed by the
unjust cruelty of their masters, God himself will take vengeance, and will not, on the ground that
they are servants, overlook the injuries inflicted upon them, inasmuch as there is no respect of
persons with him. For this consideration might diminish their courage, if they imagined that God
had no regard for them, or no great regard, and that their miseries gave him no concern. Besides,
it often happens that servants themselves endeavor to avenge injurious and cruel treatment. He
obviates, accordingly, this evil, by admonishing them to wait patiently the judgment of God.
Colossians 4:1-4
CHAPTER 4
1. Masters, give unto your servants that which 1. Domini, quod iustum est, servis exhibete,
is just and equal; knowing that ye also have a mutuamque aequabilitatem, scientes quod vos
Master in heaven.
quoque Dominum habeatis in coelis.
2. Continue in prayer, and watch in the same 2. Orationi instate, vigilantes in ea, cum
with thanksgiving;
gratiarum actione.
461 “Ou entrant en dispute auec eux, comme compagnon a compagnon, ainsi qu’on dit. Toutesfois, que ce soit tant que faire
se pourra sans offenser Dieu;” — “Or entering into dispute with them, as associate with associate, as they say. At the same time,
let it be only in so far as it can be done without offending God.”
136
John Calvin