Commentary on Philippians, Colossians, and Thessalonians

Comm on Phil, Col, Thes
13. For it is God which worketh in you both 13. Deus enim est, qui efficit in vobis et velle
to will and to do of his good pleasure. et efficere, pro bona voluntate.
14. Do all things without murmurings and 14. Omnia facite absque murmurationibus et
disputings:
disceptationibus,
15. That ye may be blameless and harmless, 15. Ut sitis tales, de quibus nemo
the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of conqueratur, et sinceri filii Dei irreprehensibiles,
a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye in medio generationis pravae et tortuosae, inter
shine as lights in the world;
quos lucete, tanquam luminaria in mundo:
16. Holding forth the word of life; that I may 16. Sermonem vitae sustinentes, in gloriam
rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in meam, in diem Christi, quod non frustra
vain, neither laboured in vain.
cucurrerim, nec frustra laboraverim.
12 Therefore, etc. He concludes the whole of the preceding exhortation with a general statement
— that they should humble themselves under the Lord’s hand, for that will very readily secure,
that, laying aside all arrogance, they will be gentle and indulgent to each other. This is the only
befitting way in which the mind of man may learn gentleness, when one who, while viewing himself
apart, pleased himself in his hiding-places, comes to examine himself as compared with God.
As ye have always obeyed. He commends their previous obedience, that he may encourage them
the more to persevere. As, however, it is the part of hypocrites to approve themselves before others,
but so soon as they have withdrawn from public view, to indulge themselves more freely, as if
every occasion of reverence and fear were removed, he admonishes them not to shew themselves
obedient in his presence merely, but also, and even much more, in his absence. For if he were
present, he could stimulate and urge them on by continued admonitions. Now, therefore, when their
monitor is at a distance from them, 118 there is need that they should stir up themselves.
With fear and trembling. In this way he would have the Philippians testify and approve their
obedience — by being submissive and humble. Now the source of humility is this — acknowledging
how miserable we are, and devoid of all good. To this he calls them in this statement. For whence
comes pride, but from the assurance which blind confidence produces, when we please ourselves,
and are more puffed up with confidence in our own virtue, than prepared to rest upon the grace of
God. In contrast with this vice is that fear to which he exhorts. Now, although exhortation comes
before doctrine, in the connection of the passage, it is in reality after it, in point of arrangement,
inasmuch as it is derived from it. I shall begin, accordingly, with doctrine.
13 It is God that worketh. This is the true engine for bringing down all haughtiness — this the
sword for putting an end to all pride, when we are taught that we are utterly nothing, and can do
nothing, except through the grace of God alone. I mean supernatural grace, which comes forth from
the spirit of regeneration. For, considered as men, we already are, and live and move in God. (Acts
17:28.) But Paul reasons here as to a kind of movement different from that universal one. Let us
now observe how much he ascribes to God, and how much he leaves to us.
118 “Maintenant donc qu’il est loin d’eux, et qu’il ne les pent plus admonester en presence;” — “Now, therefore, when he is
at a distance from them, and can no longer admonish them when present.”
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John Calvin