Commentary on Philippians, Colossians, and Thessalonians

Comm on Phil, Col, Thes
7. Therefore, brethren, we were comforted 7. Inde consolationem percepimus fratres de
over you in all our affliction and distress by your vobis, in omni tribulatione et necessitate nostra
faith:
per vestram fidem:
8. For now we live, if ye stand fast in the 8. Quia nunc vivimus, si vos stasis in
Lord.
Domino.
9. For what thanks can we render to God 9. Quam enim gratiarum actionem possumus
again for you, for all the joy wherewith we joy Deo reddere de vobis, in omni gaudio quod
for your sakes before our God;
gaudemus propter vos coram Deo nostro;
10. Night and day praying exceedingly that 10. Nocte ac die supra modum precantes, ut
we might see your face, and might perfect that videamus faciem vestram, et suppleamus quae
which is lacking in your faith?
fidei vestrae desunt?
He shews here, by another argument, by what an extraordinary affection he was actuated towards
them, inasmuch as he was transported almost out of his senses by the joyful intelligence of their
being in a prosperous condition. For we must take notice of the circumstances which he relates.
He was in affliction and necessity: there might have seemed, therefore, no room for cheerfulness.
But when he hears what was much desired by him respecting the Thessalonians, as though all
feeling of his distresses had been extinguished, he is carried forward to joy and congratulation. At
the same time he proceeds, by degrees, in expressing the greatness of his joy, for he says, in the
first place, we received consolation: afterwards he speaks of a joy that was plentifully poured forth.
557 This congratulation, 558 however, has the force of an exhortation; and Paul’s intention was to stir
up the Thessalonians to perseverance. And, assuredly, this must have been a most powerful
excitement, when they learned that the holy Apostle felt so great consolation and joy from the
advancement of their piety.
6 Faith and love. This form of expression should be the more carefully observed by us in
proportion to the frequency with which it is made use of by Paul, for in these two words he
comprehends briefly the entire sum of true piety. Hence all that aim at this twofold mark during
their whole life are beyond all risk of erring: all others, however much they may torture themselves,
wander miserably. The third thing that he adds as to their good remembrance of him, refers to
respect entertained for the Gospel. For it was on no other account that they held Paul in such
affection and esteem.
8 For now we live. Here it appears still more clearly that Paul almost forgot himself for the sake
of the Thessalonians, or, at least, making regard for himself a mere secondary consideration, devoted
his first and chief thoughts to them. At the same time he did not do that so much from affection to
men as from a desire for the Lord’s glory. For zeal for God and Christ glowed in his holy breast to
such a degree that it in a manner swallowed up all other anxieties. “We live,” says he, that is, “we
are in good health, if you persevere in the Lord.” And under the adverb now, he repeats what he
had formerly stated, that he had been greatly pressed down by affliction and necessity; yet he
declares that whatever evil he endures in his own person does not hinder his joy. “Though in myself
557 “Ample et abondante;” — “Large and overflowing.”
558 “Ceste façon de tesmoigner la ioye qu’il sent de la fermete des Thessaloniciens;” — “This manner of testifying the joy
which he feels in the steadfastness of the Thessalonians.”
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John Calvin