Commentary on Philippians, Colossians, and Thessalonians

Comm on Phil, Col, Thes
was not a sudden heat, that quickly cooled, (as we see sometimes happen,) but that he had been
steadfast in this purpose, 552 inasmuch as he sought various opportunities.
18 Satan hindered us. Luke relates that Paul was in one instance hindered, (Acts 20:3) inasmuch
as the Jews laid an ambush for him in the way. The same thing, or something similar, may have
occurred frequently. It is not without good reason, however, that Paul ascribes the whole of this to
Satan, for, as he teaches elsewhere, (Ephesians 6:12) we have to
wrestle not with flesh and blood, but with principalities of the air, and spiritual wickednesses, etc.
For, whenever the wicked molest us, they fight under Satan’s banner, and are his instruments
for harassing us. More especially, when our endeavors are directed to the work of the Lord, it is
certain that everything that hinders proceeds from Satan; and would to God that this sentiment were
deeply impressed upon the minds of all pious persons — that Satan is continually contriving, by
every means, in what way he may hinder or obstruct the edification of the Church! We would
assuredly be more careful to resist him; we would take more care to maintain sound doctrine, of
which that enemy strives so keenly to deprive us. We would also, whenever the course of the gospel
is retarded, know whence the hindrance proceeds. He says elsewhere, (Romans 1:13) that God had
not permitted him, but both are true: for although Satan does his part, yet God retains supreme
authority, so as to open up a way for us, as often as he sees good, against Satan’s will, and in spite
of his opposition. Paul accordingly says truly that God does not permit, although the hindrance
comes from Satan.
19 For what is our hope. He confirms that ardor of desire, of which he had made mention,
inasmuch as he has his happiness in a manner treasured up in them. “Unless I forget myself, I must
necessarily desire your presence, for ye are our glory and joy.” Farther, when he calls them his
hope and the crown of his glory, we must not understand this as meaning that he gloried in any one
but God alone, but because we are allowed to glory in all God’s favors, in their own place, in such
a manner that he is always our object of aim, as I have explained more at large in the first Epistle
to the Corinthians. 553 We must, however, infer from this, that Christ’s ministers will, on the last
day, according as they have individually promoted his kingdom, be partakers of glory and triumph.
Let them therefore now learn to rejoice and glory in nothing but the prosperous issue of their labors,
when they see that the glory of Christ is promoted by their instrumentality. The consequence will
be, that they will be actuated by that spirit of affection to the Church with which they ought. The
particle also denotes that the Thessalonians were not the only persons in whom Paul triumphed,
but that they held a place among many. The causal particle γάρ, (for,) which occurs almost
immediately afterwards, is employed here not in its strict sense, by way of affirmation—”assuredly
you are.”
1 Thessalonians 3:1-5
CHAPTER 3
552 Hujus propositi tenacem. See Hor. Od. 3, 3. 1. — Ed.
553 “Sur la premiere aux Corinth., chap. 1, d. 31;” — “On 1 Corinthians 1:31.”
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John Calvin