Commentary on Philippians, Colossians, and Thessalonians

Comm on Phil, Col, Thes
10 And we exhort you. Though he declares that they were sufficiently prepared of themselves
for all offices of love, he nevertheless does not cease to exhort them to make progress, there being
no perfection in men. And, unquestionably, whatever appears in us in a high state of excellence,
we must still desire that it may become better. Some connect the verb φιλοτιμεῖσζαι with what
follows, as if he exhorted them to strive at the maintaining of peace; but it corresponds better with
the expression that goes before. For after having admonished them to increase in love, he
recommends to them a sacred emulation, that they may strive among themselves in mutual affection,
or at least he enjoins that each one strive to conquer himself; 572 and I rather adopt this latter
interpretation. That, therefore, their love may be perfect, he requires that there be a striving among
them, such as is wont to be on the part of those who eagerly 573 aspire at victory. This is the best
emulation, when each one strives to overcome himself in doing good. As to my not subscribing to
the opinion of those who render the words, strive to maintain peace, this single reason appears to
me to be sufficiently valid — that Paul would not in a thing of less difficulty have enjoined so
arduous a conflict — which suits admirably well with advancement in love, where so many
hindrances present themselves. Nor would I have any objection to the other meaning of the verb
— that they should exercise liberality generally towards others.
11 Maintain Peace. I have already stated that this clause must be separated from what goes
before, for this is a new sentence. Now, to be at peace, means in this passage — to act peacefully
and without disturbance, as we also say in French — sans bruit, (without noise.) In short, he exhorts
them to be peaceable and tranquil. This is the purport of what he adds immediately afterwards —
to do your own business: for we commonly see, that those who intrude themselves with forwardness
into the affairs of others, make great disturbance, and give trouble to themselves and others. This,
therefore, is the best means of a tranquil life, when every one, intent upon the duties of his own
calling, discharges those duties which are enjoined upon him by the Lord, and devotes himself to
these things: while the husbandman employs himself in rural labors, the workman carries on his
occupation, and in this way every one keeps within his own limits. So soon as men turn aside from
this, everything is thrown into confusion and disorder. He does not mean, however, that every one
shall mind his own business in such a way as that each one should live apart, having no care for
others, but has merely in view to correct an idle levity, which makes men noisy bustlers in public,
who ought to lead a quiet life in their own houses.
Labor with your hands. He recommends manual labor on two accounts — that they may have
a sufficiency for maintaining life, and that they may conduct themselves honorably even before
unbelievers. For nothing is more unseemly than a man that is idle and good for nothing, who profits
neither himself nor others, and seems born only to eat and drink. Farther, this labor or system of
working extends far, for what he says as to hands is by way of synecdoche; but there can be no
doubt that he includes every useful employment of human life.
1 Thessalonians 4:13-14
572 “En cest endroit;” — “In this matter.”
573 “Courageusement et d’vn grand desir;” — “Courageously and wait a great desire.”
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John Calvin