Commentary on Philippians, Colossians, and Thessalonians

Comm on Phil, Col, Thes
itself lays out its endeavors and services only in good works? For the faculty of understanding is
held by philosophers to be, as it were, a mistress: the affections occupy a middle place for
commanding; the body renders obedience. We see now how well everything corresponds. For then
is the man pure and entire, when he thinks nothing in his mind, desires nothing in his heart, does
nothing with his body, except what is approved by God. As, however, Paul in this manner commits
to God the keeping of the whole man, and all its parts, we must infer from this that we are exposed
to innumerable dangers, unless we are protected by his guardianship.
24 Faithful is he that hath called you. As he has shewn by his prayer what care he exercised as
to the welfare of the Thessalonians, so he now confirms them in an assurance of Divine grace.
Observe, however, by what argument he promises them the never-failing aid of God — because
he has called them; by which words he means, that when the Lord has once adopted us as his sons,
we may expect that his grace will continue to be exercised towards us. For he does not promise to
be a Father to us merely for one day, but adopts us with this understanding, that he is to cherish us
ever afterwards. Hence our calling ought to be held by us as an evidence of everlasting grace, for
he will not leave the work of his hands incomplete. (Psalm 138:8) Paul, however, addresses believers,
who had not been merely called by outward preaching, but had been effectually brought by Christ
to the Father, that they might be of the number of his sons.
26 Salute all the brethren with an holy kiss. As to the kiss, it was a customary token of salutation,
as has been stated elsewhere. 623 In these words, however, he declares his affection towards all the
saints.
27 I adjure you by the Lord. It is not certain whether he feared that, as often happened, spiteful
and envious persons would suppress the Epistle, or whether he wished to provide against another
danger — lest by a mistaken prudence and caution on the part of some, it should be kept among a
few. 624 For there will always be found some who say that it is of no advantage to publish generally
things that otherwise they recognize as very excellent. At least, whatever artifice or pretext Satan
may have at that time contrived, in order that the Epistle might not come to the knowledge of all,
we may gather from Paul’s words with what earnestness and keenness he sets himself in opposition
to it. For it is no light or frivolous thing to adjure by the name of God. We find, therefore, that the
Spirit of God would have those things which he had set forth in this Epistle, through the ministry
of Paul, to be published throughout the whole Church. Hence it appears, that those are more
refractory than even devils themselves, who in the present day prohibit the people of God from
reading the writings of Paul, inasmuch as they are no way moved by so strict an adjuration.
END OF THE COMMENTARY ON THE FIRST EPISTLE
TO THE THESSALONIANS.
623 See Calvin on the Corinthians, vol. 2, p. 78.
624 “Qu’aucuns par vne prudence indiscrete, la communicassent seulement a quelque petit nombre sans en faire les autres
participans;” — “That some by an ill-advised prudence, would communicate it only to some small number without making
others participate in it.”
191
John Calvin