Commentary on Philippians, Colossians, and Thessalonians

Comm on Phil, Col, Thes
I am dead, yet in your welfare I live.” By this all pastors are admonished what sort of connection
ought to subsist between them and the Church — that they reckon themselves happy when it goes
well with the Church, although they should be in other respects encompassed with many miseries,
and, on the other hand, that they pine away with grief and sorrow if they see the building which
they have constructed in a state of decay, although matters otherwise should be joyful and prosperous.
9 For what thanksgiving. Not satisfied with a simple affirmation, he intimates how extraordinary
is the greatness of his joy, by asking himself what thanks he can render to God; for by speaking
thus he declares that he cannot find an expression of gratitude that can come up to the measure of
his joy. He says that he rejoices before God, that is, truly and without any pretense.
10 Praying beyond measure. He returns to an expression of his desire. For it is never allowable
for us to congratulate men, while they live in this world, in such unqualified terms as not always
to desire something better for them. For they are as yet in the way: they may fall back, or go astray,
or even go back. Hence Paul is desirous to have opportunity given him of supplying what is wanting
in the faith of the Thessalonians, or, which is the same thing, completing in all its parts their faith,
which was as yet imperfect. Yet this is the faith which he had previously extolled marvelously. But
from this we infer, that those who far surpass others are still far distant from the goal. Hence,
whatever progress we may have made, let us always keep in view our deficiencies, (ὑστερήματα,)
559 that we may not be reluctant to aim at something farther.
From this also it appears how necessary it is for us to give careful attention to doctrine, for
teachers 560 were not appointed merely with the view of leading men, in the course of a single day
or month, to the faith of Christ, but for the purpose of perfecting the faith which has been begun.
But as to Paul’s claiming for himself what he elsewhere declares belongs peculiarly to the Holy
Spirit, (1 Corinthians 14:14) this must be restricted to the ministry. Now, as the ministry of a man
is inferior to the efficacy of the Spirit, and to use the common expression, is subordinate to it,
nothing is detracted from it. When he says that he prayed night and day beyond all ordinary measure,
561 we may gather from these words how assiduous he was in praying to God, and with what ardor
and earnestness he discharged that duty.
1 Thessalonians 3:11-13
11. Now God himself and our Father, and our 11. Ipse autem Deus et Pater noster, et
Lord Jesus Christ, direct our way unto you. Dominus noster Iesus Christus viam nostram ad
vos dirigat.
12. And the Lord make you to increase and 12. Vos autem Dominus impleat et abundare
abound in love one toward another, and toward faciat caritate mutua inter vos et erga omnes:
all men, even as we do toward you:
559 “Τστερήματα πίστεως. —Afterings of faith, as it may be significantly enough rendered, let but the novelty of the expression
be pardoned.” —Howe’s Works, (London, 1822,) volume 3 page 70.—Ed
560 “Les Docteurs et ceux qui ont charge d’enseigner en l’Eglise;” — “Teachers and those that have the task of instructing in
the Church.”
561 “Night and day praying exceedingly—Supplicating God at all times; mingling this with all my prayers; ὑπὲρ ἐχπερισσοῦ
δεόμενοι, abounding and superabounding in my entreaties to God, to permit me to revisit you.” —Dr. A. Clarke.—Ed
167
John Calvin