Commentary on Philippians, Colossians, and Thessalonians

Comm on Phil, Col, Thes
Paul’s words seem to imply this — that their consciences might be irreproveable in holiness. I
answer, that Paul does not exclude remission of sins, through which it comes that our holiness,
which is otherwise mixed up with many pollutions, bears God’s eye, for faith, by which God is
pacified towards us, so as to pardon our faults, 565 precedes everything else, as the foundation comes
before the building. Paul, however, does not teach us what or how great the holiness of believers
may be, but desires that it may be increased, until it attain its perfection. On this account he says
— at the coming of our Lord, meaning that the completion of those things, which the Lord now
begins in us, is delayed till that time.
With all his saints. This clause may be explained in two ways, either as meaning that the
Thessalonians, with all saints, may have pure hearts at Christ’s coming, or that Christ will come
with all his saints. While I adopt this second meaning, in so far as concerns the construction of the
words, I have at the same time no doubt that Paul employed the term saints for the purpose of
admonishing us that we are called by Christ for this end—that we may be gathered with all his
saints. For this consideration ought to whet our desire for holiness.
1 Thessalonians 4:1-5
CHAPTER 4
1. Furthermore then we beseech you, 1. Ergo quod reliquum est, fratres, rogamus
brethren, and exhort you by the Lord Jesus, that vos et obsecramus in Domino Iesu,
as ye have received of us how ye ought to walk quemadmodum accepistis a nobis, quomodo
and to please God, so ye would abound more and oporteat vos ambulare et placere Deo, ut
more.
abundetis magis:
2. For ye know what commandments we gave 2. Nostis enim quae praecepta dederimus
you by the Lord Jesus.
vobis per Dominum Iesum.
3. For this is the will of God, even your 3. Haec enim est voluntas Dei, sanctificatio
sanctification, that ye should abstain from vestra: ut vos abstineatis ab omni scortatione.
fornication:
4. That every one of you should know how 4. Et sciat unusquisque vestrum suum vas
to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour; possidere in sanctificatione et honore:
5. Not in the lust of concupiscence, even as 5. Non in affectu concupiscentiae,
the Gentiles which know not God:
quemadmodum et Gentes, quae non noverunt
Deum.
1 Furthermore. This chapter contains various injunctions, by which he trains up the Thessalonians
to a holy life, or confirms them in the exercise of it. They had previously learned what was the rule
and method of a pious life: he calls this to their remembrance. As, says he, ye have been taught.
565 “Nous fautes et infirmitez vicieuses;” — “Our faults and culpable infirmities.”
169
John Calvin