Commentary on Philippians, Colossians, and Thessalonians

Comm on Phil, Col, Thes
the Church, in whatever manner he may conduct himself; for Paul places Antichrist nowhere else
than in the very sanctuary of God. For this is not a foreign, but a domestic enemy, who opposes
Christ under the very name of Christ. But it is asked, how the Church is represented as the den of
so many superstitions, while it was destined to be the pillar of the truth? (1 Timothy 3:15.) I answer,
that it is thus represented, not on the ground of its retaining all the qualities of the Church, but
because it has something of it remaining. I accordingly acknowledge, that that is the temple of God
in which the Pope bears rule, but at the same time profaned by innumerable sacrileges.
2 Thessalonians 2:5-8
5. Remember ye not, that, when I was yet 5. Annon memoria tenetis, quod, quum adhuc
with you, I told you these things?
essem apud vos, haec vobis dicebam?
6. And now ye know what withholdeth that 6. Et nunc quid detineat, scitis, donec ille
he might be revealed in his time.
reveletur suo tempore.
7. For the mystery of iniquity doth already 7. Mysterium enim iam operatur iniquitatis,
work: only he who now letteth will let, until he solum tenens modo donec e medio tollatur.
be taken out of the way.
8. And then shall that Wicked be revealed, 8. Et tunc revelabitur iniquus ille, quem
whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of Dominus destruet spiritu oris sui, et abolebit
his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness illustratione adventus sui.
of his coming:
5 Do ye not remember? This added no small weight to the doctrine, that they had previously
heard it from the mouth of Paul, that they might not think that it had been contrived by him at the
instant. And as he had given them early warning as to the reign of Antichrist, and the devastation
that was coming upon the Church, when no question had as yet been raised as to such things, he
saw beyond all doubt that the doctrine was specially useful to be known. And, unquestionably, it
is really so. Those whom he addressed were destined to see many things that would trouble them;
and when posterity would see a large proportion of those who had made profession of the faith of
Christ revolt from piety, maddened, as it were, by a gad-fly, or rather by a fury, 650 what could they
do but waver? This, however, was as a brazen 651 wall 652 — that matters were so appointed by God,
because the ingratitude of men 653 was worthy of such vengeance. Here we may see how forgetful
men are in matters affecting their everlasting salvation. We must also observe Paul’s mildness; for
while he might have been vehemently incensed, 654 he does but mildly reprove them; for it is a
650 “Se reuolter de la vraye religion, et se precipiter en ruine comme gens forcenez, ou plustost endiablez;” — “Revolt from
the true religion, and plunge themselves in ruin like persons enraged, or rather possessed.”
651 Murus aheneus. See Hor. Ep. 1:1, 60.
652 “Mais voici en cest endroit qui leur deuoit seruir d’vne forteresse inuincible;” — “But behold in this matter what would
furnish them with an invincible fortress.”
653 “L’ingratitude execrable et vileine des hommes;” — “The execrable and base ingratitude of men.”
654 “Contre les Thessaloniciens;” — “Against the Thessalonians.”
206
John Calvin