Commentary on Philippians, Colossians, and Thessalonians

Comm on Phil, Col, Thes
of free will, reason on false grounds. For although God works efficaciously in his elect, and does
not merely present the light to them, but causes them to see, opens the eyes of their heart, and keeps
them open, yet as the flesh is always inclined to indolence, it has need of being stirred up by
exhortations. But what God commands by Paul’s mouth, He himself accomplishes inwardly. In the
mean time, it is our part to ask from the Lord, that he would furnish oil to the lamps which he has
lighted up, that he may keep the wick pure, and may even increase it.
20 Despise not prophesyings. This sentence is appropriately added to the preceding one, for as
the Spirit of God illuminates us chiefly by doctrine, those who give not teaching its proper place,
do, so far as in them lies, quench the Spirit, for we must always consider in what manner or by
what means God designs to communicate himself to us. Let every one, therefore, who is desirous
to make progress under the direction of the Holy Spirit, allow himself to be taught by the ministry
of prophets.
By the term prophecy, however, I do not understand the gift of foretelling the future, but as in
1 Corinthians 14:3, the science of interpreting Scripture, 611 so that a prophet is an interpreter of
the will of God. For Paul, in the passage which I have quoted, assigns to prophets teaching for
edification, exhortation, and consolation, and enumerates, as it were, these departments. Let,
therefore, prophecy in this passage be understood as meaning — interpretation made suitable to
present use. 612 Paul prohibits us from despising it, if we would not choose of our own accord to
wander in darkness.
The statement, however, is a remarkable one, for the commendation of external preaching. It
is the dream of fanatics, that those are children who continue to employ themselves in the reading
of the Scripture, or the hearing of the word, as if no one were spiritual, unless he is a despiser of
doctrine. They proudly, therefore, despise the ministry of man, nay, even Scripture itself, that they
may attain the Spirit. Farther, whatever delusions Satan suggests to them, 613 they presumptuously
set forth as secret revelations of the Spirit. Such are the Libertines, 614 and other furies of that stamp.
And the more ignorant that any one is, he is puffed up and swollen out with so much the greater
arrogance. Let us, however, learn from the example of Paul, to conjoin the Spirit with the voice of
men, which is nothing else than his organ. 615
21 Prove all things. As rash men and deceiving spirits frequently pass off their trifles under the
name of prophecy, prophecy might by this means be rendered suspicious or even odious, just as
many in the present day feel almost disgusted with the very name of preaching, as there are so
many foolish and ignorant persons that from the pulpit blab out their worthless contrivances, 616
while there are others, also, that are wicked and sacrilegious persons, who babble forth execrable
blasphemies. 617 As, therefore, through the fault of such persons it might be, that prophecy was
regarded with disdain, nay more, was scarcely allowed to hold a place, Paul exhorts the Thessalonians
611 See Calvin on the Corinthians, vol. 1, p. 415, 436.
612 “Interpretation de l’Escriture applicquee proprement selon le temps, les personnes, et les choses presentes;” — “Interpretation
of Scripture properly applied, according to time, persons, and things present.”
613 “Leur souffle aux aureilles;” — “Breathes into their ears.”
614 See Calvin on the Corinthians, vol. 2, p. 7, n. 3.
615 “L’organe et instrument d’celuy;” — “His organ and instrument.”
616 “Leurs speculations ridicules;” — “Their ridiculous speculations.”
617 “Horribles et execrables;” — “Horrible and execrable.”
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John Calvin