Commentary on Philippians, Colossians, and Thessalonians

Comm on Phil, Col, Thes
When he speaks of the Church which was in the house of Nymphas, let us bear in mind, that,
in the instance of one household, a rule is laid down as to what it becomes all Christian households
to be — that they be so many little Churches. 480 Let every one, therefore, know that this charge is
laid upon him — that he is to train up his house in the fear of the Lord, to keep it under a holy
discipline, and, in fine, to form in it the likeness of a Church.
16. Let it be read in the Church of the Laodiceans. Hence, though it was addressed to the
Colossians, it was, nevertheless, necessary that it should be profitable to others. The same view
must also be taken of all the Epistles. They were indeed, in the first instance, addressed to particular
Churches, but, as they contain doctrine that is always in force, and is common to all ages, it is of
no importance what title they bear, for the subject matter belongs to us. It has been groundlessly
supposed that the other Epistle of which he makes mention was written by Paul, and those labor
under a double mistake who think that it was written by Paul to the Laodiceans. I have no doubt
that it was an Epistle that had been sent to Paul, the perusal of which might be profitable to the
Colossians, as neighboring towns have usually many things in common. There was, however, an
exceedingly gross imposture in the circumstance that some worthless person, I know not who, had
the audacity to forge, under this pretext, an Epistle, that is so insipid, 481 that nothing can be conceived
to be more foreign to Paul’s spirit.
17 Say to Archippus. So far as I can conjecture, this Archippus was, in the mean time, discharging
the office of pastor, during the absence of Epaphras; but perhaps he was not of such a disposition
as to be sufficiently diligent of himself without being stirred up. Paul, accordingly, would have him
be more fully encouraged by the exhortation of the whole Church. He might have admonished him
in his own name individually; but he gives this charge to the Colossians that they may know that
they must themselves employ incitements, 482 if they see their pastor cold, and the pastor himself
does not refuse to be admonished by the Church. For the ministers of the word are endowed with
signal authority, but such at the same time as is not exempt from laws. Hence, it is necessary that
they should shew themselves teachable if they would duly teach others. As to Paul’s calling attention
again 483 to his bonds, he intimates by this that he was in no slight degree afflicted. For he was
mindful of human infirmity, and without doubt he felt some twinges of it in himself, inasmuch as
he was so very urgent that all pious persons, should be mindful of his distresses. It is, however, no
evidence of distrust, that he calls in from all quarters the helps that were appointed him by the Lord.
The subscription, with his own hand, means, as we have seen elsewhere, that there were even then
spurious epistles in circulation, so that it was necessary to provide against imposition. 484
END OF THE COMMENTARY ON THE EPISTLE TO
THE COLOSSIANS.
480 See Calvin on the Corinthians, vol. 2, p. 78.
481 “Contrefaire et mettre en auant vne lettre comme escrite par sainct Paul aux Laodiciens, voire si sotte et badine;” — “To
forge and put forward a letter as if written by St. Paul to the Laodiceans, and that too so foolish and silly.”
482 “Qu’eux — mesmes aussi doyuent faire des remonstrances et inciter leur pasteur;” — “That they must themselves employ
remonstrances and stir up their pastor.”
483 Paul had previously made mention of his bonds, in the 3rd verse of the chapter. — Ed.
484 “Que des lors on faisoit courir des epistres a faux titre, et sous le nom des seruiteurs de Dieu: a laquelle meschancete il leur
estoit force de remedier par quelque moyen;” — “That even then they put into circulation epistles under a false title, and in the
name of the servants of God: to which wickedness he was under the necessity of employing a remedy by some means.”
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John Calvin