Commentary on Philippians, Colossians, and Thessalonians

Comm on Phil, Col, Thes
proof, (2 Thessalonians 1:5,) and instead of ἔνδειξιν, which we have here, he in that passage makes
use of the term ἔνδειγμα 85 This, therefore, is a choice consolation, that when we are assailed and
harassed by our enemies, we have an evidence of our salvation. 86 For persecutions are in a manner
seals of adoption to the children of God, if they endure them with fortitude and patience: the wicked
give a token of their condemnation, because they stumble against a stone by which they shall be
bruised to pieces. (Matthew 21:44.)
And that from God. This is restricted to the last clause, that a taste of the grace of God may
allay the bitterness of the cross. No one will naturally perceive the cross a token or evidence of
salvation, for they are things that are contrary in appearance. Hence Paul calls the attention of the
Philippians to another consideration — that God by his blessing turns into an occasion of welfare
things that might otherwise seem to render us miserable. He proves it from this, that the endurance
of the cross is the gift of God. Now it is certain, that all the gifts of God are salutary to us. To you,
says he, it is given, not only to believe in Christ, but also to suffer for him. Hence even the sufferings
themselves are evidences of the grace of God; and, since it is so, you have from this source a token
of salvation. Oh, if this persuasion were effectually inwrought in our minds — that persecutions 87
are to be reckoned among God’s benefits, what progress would be made in the doctrine of piety! 88
And yet, what is more certain, than that it is the highest honor that is conferred upon us by Divine
grace, that we suffer for his name either reproach, or imprisonment, or miseries, or tortures, or even
death, for in that case he adorns us with his marks of distinction. 89 But more will be found that will
rather bid God retire with gifts of that nature, than embrace with alacrity the cross when it is
presented to them. Alas, then, for our stupidity! 90
29. To believe. He wisely conjoins faith with the cross by an inseparable connection, that the
Philippians may know that they have been called to the faith of Christ on this condition — that
they endure persecutions on his account, as though he had said that their adoption can no more be
separated from the cross, than Christ can be torn asunder from himself. Here Paul clearly testifies,
that faith, as well as constancy in enduring persecutions, 91 is an unmerited gift of God. And certainly
the knowledge of God is a wisdom that is too high for our attaining it by our own acuteness, and
our weakness shews itself in daily instances in our own experience, when God withdraws his hand
for a little while. That he may intimate the more distinctly that both are unmerited, he says expressly
— for Christ’s sake, or at least that they are given to us on the ground of Christ’s grace; by which
he excludes every idea of merit.
This passage is also at variance with the doctrine of the schoolmen, in maintaining that gifts of
grace latterly conferred are rewards of our merit, on the ground of our having made a right use of
those which had been previously bestowed. I do not deny, indeed, that God rewards the right use
85 “Là où il vse d’vn mot qui descend d’vn mesme verbe que celuy dont il vse yci;” —”Where he makes use of a word which
comes from the same verb as that which he employs here.”
86 “Cela nous est vne demonstrance et tesmoignage de nostre salut;” —”This is to us a clear proof and token of our salvation.”
87 “Les afflictions et persecutions;” — “Afflictions and persecutions.”
88 “Combien aurions — nous proufité en la doctrine de vraye religion;” —”How much progress we would make in the doctrine
of true religion.”
89 “Il nous vest de sa liuree;” — “He arrays us in his livery.”
90 “Maudite donc soit nostre stupidite;” — “Accursed, then, be our stupidity.”
91 “Les afflictions et persecutions;” — “Afflictions and persecutions.”
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John Calvin