Commentary on Philippians, Colossians, and Thessalonians

Comm on Phil, Col, Thes
It is added — and without offense The Greek word ἀπροσκοποι is ambiguous. Chrysostom
explains it in an active sense — that as he had desired that they should be pure and upright in the
sight of God, so he now desires that they should lead an honorable life in the sight of men, that
they may not injure their neighbors by any evil examples. This exposition I do not reject: the passive
signification, however, is better suited to the context, in my opinion. For he desires wisdom for
them, with this view — that they may with unwavering step go forward in their calling until the
day of Christ, as on the other hand it happens through ignorance, 49 that we frequently slip our foot,
stumble, and turn aside. And how many stumbling blocks Satan from time to time throws in our
way, with the view of either stopping our course altogether, or impeding it, every one of us knows
from his own experience.
11 Filled with the fruits of righteousness. This now belongs to the outward life, for a good
conscience produces its fruits by means of works. Hence he desires that they may be fruitful in
good works for the glory of God. Such fruits, he says, are by Christ, because they flow from the
grace of Christ. For the beginning of our well-doing is, when we are sanctified by his Spirit, for he
rested upon him, that we might all receive of his fullness. (John 1:16.) And as Paul here derives a
similitude from trees, we are wild olive-trees, (Romans 11:24,) and unproductive, until we are
ingrafted into Christ, who by his living root makes us fruitbearing trees, in accordance with that
saying, (John 15:1,) I am the vine, ye are the branches. He at the same time shews the end — that
we may promote the glory of God. For no life is so excellent in appearance as not to be corrupted
and become offensive in the view of God, if it is not directed towards this object.
Paul’s speaking here of works under the term righteousness, is not at all inconsistent with the
gratuitous righteousness of faith. For it does not immediately follow that there is righteousness
wherever there are the fruits of righteousness, inasmuch as there is no righteousness in the sight of
God, unless there be a full and complete obedience to the law, which is not found in any one of the
saints, though, nevertheless, they bring forth, according to the measure, the good and pleasant 50
fruits of righteousness, and for this reason, that, as God begins righteousness in us, through the
regeneration of the Spirit, so what is wanting is amply supplied through the remission of sins, in
such a way that all righteousness, nevertheless, depends upon faith.
Philippians 1:12-17
12. But I would ye should understand, 12. Scire autem vos volo, fratres, quod, quae
brethren, that the things which happened unto me mihi acciderunt, magis in profectum cesserunt
have fallen out rather unto the furtherance of the Evangelii,
gospel;
13. So that my bonds in Christ are manifest 13. Ut vincula mea in Christo illustria fuerint
in all the palace, and in all other places; in toto praetorio, et reliquis omnibus locis:
49 “Par ignorance et faute de prudence;” — “Through ignorance and want of prudence.”
50 “Bons et aimables;” — “Good and amiable.”
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John Calvin