Commentary on Philippians, Colossians, and Thessalonians

Comm on Phil, Col, Thes
honourableness of the service which God has enjoined upon us in placing us in opposition to his
enemies, so as to bear testimony to his gospel. For it is as though he had entrusted us with the
defense of his gospel. And truly it was when armed with this consideration, that the martyrs were
prepared to contemn all the rage of the wicked, and to rise superior to every kind of torture. And
would that this were present to the mind of all that are called to make a confession of their faith,
that they have been chosen by Christ to be as advocates to plead his cause! For were they sustained
by such consolation they would be more courageous than to be so easily turned aside into a perfidious
revolt. 44
Here, however, some one will inquire, whether the confirmation of the gospel depends on the
steadfastness of men. I answer, that the truth of God is in itself too firm to require that it should
have support from any other quarter; for though we should all of us be found liars, God, nevertheless,
remains true. (Romans 3:4.) There is, however, no absurdity in saying, that weak consciences are
confirmed in it by such helps. That kind of confirmation, therefore, of which Paul makes mention,
has a relation to men, as we learn from our own experience that the slaughter of so many martyrs
has been attended at least with this advantage, that they have been as it were so many seals, by
which the gospel has been sealed in our hearts. Hence that saying of Tertullian, that “the blood of
the martyrs is the seed of the Church,” — which I have imitated in a certain poem: “But that sacred
blood, 45 the maintainer of God’s honor, will be like seed for producing offspring.” 46
8. For God is my witness. He now declares more explicitly his affection for them, and, with the
view of giving proof of it, he makes use of an oath, and that on good grounds, because we know
how dear in the sight of God is the edification of his Church. It was, too, more especially of
advantage, that Paul’s affection should be thoroughly made known to the Philippians. For it tends
in no small degree to secure credit for the doctrine, when the people are persuaded that they are
beloved by the teacher. He calls God as a witness to the truth, inasmuch as he alone is the Truth,
and as a witness of his affection, inasmuch as he alone is the searcher of hearts. In the word rendered
long after, a particular term is made use of instead of a general, and it is a token of affection,
inasmuch as we long after those things which are dear to us.
In the bowels He places the bowels of Christ in opposition to carnal affection, to intimate that
his affection is holy and pious. For the man that loves according to the flesh has respect to his own
advantage, and may from time to time change his mind according to the variety of circumstances
44 “Ils seroyent si constans et fermes, qu’ils ne pourroyent estre aiseement induits a se reuolter laschement et desloyaument;”
— “They would be so steadfast and firm, that they could not be easily induced to revolt in a cowardly and disloyal manner.”
45 Sanctus at ille cruor, divini assertor honoris,
Gignendam ad sobolem seminis instar erit
46 “A l’imitation duquel au chant de victoire composé par moy en Latin en l’honneur de Jesus Christ, 1541, et lequel depuis
a este reduit en rime Francois, i’ay dit: —
‘Or le sang precieux par martyre espandu
Pour auoir a son Dieu tesmoignage rendu,
A l’Eglise de Dieu seruira de semence
Dont enfans sorteront remplis d’intelligence.’“
“In imitation of which, in the song of victory composed by me in Latin in honor of Jesus Christ, in 1541, and which has
since that time been rendered into French rhyme, I have said: —
‘But the precious blood shed by martyrs
That it might be as a testimony rendered to its God,
Will in the Church of God serve as seed
From which children shall come forth, filled with understanding.’“
16
John Calvin