Commentary on Philippians, Colossians, and Thessalonians

Comm on Phil, Col, Thes
lamps; while he compares the word of God to the wick, from which the light comes. If you prefer
another figure — we are candlesticks: the doctrine of the gospel is the candle, which, being placed
in us, diffuses light on all sides. Now he intimates, that we do injustice to the word of God, if it
does not shine forth in us in respect of purity of life. This is the import of Christ’s saying,
“No man lighteth a candle,
and putteth it under a bushel,” etc. (Matthew 5:15.)
We are said, however, to carry the word of life in such a way as to be, in the mean time, carried
by it, 133 inasmuch as we are founded upon it. The manner, however, of carrying it, of which Paul
speaks, is, that God has intrusted his doctrine with us on condition, not that we should keep the
light of it under restraint, as it were, and inactive, but that we should hold it forth to others. The
sum is this: that all that are enlightened with heavenly doctrine carry about with them a light, which
detects and discovers their crimes, 134 if they do not walk in holiness and chastity; but that this light
has been kindled up, not merely that they may themselves be guided in the right way, but that they
may also shew it to others.
That I may have glory. That he may encourage them the more, he declares that it will turn out
to his glory, if he has not labored among them in vain. Not as if those who labored faithfully, but
unsuccessfully, lost their pains, and had no reward of their labor. As, however, success in our
ministry is a singular blessing from God, let us not feel surprised, if God, among his other gifts,
makes this the crowning one. Hence, as Paul’s Apostleship is now rendered illustrious by so many
Churches, gained over to Christ through his instrumentality, so there can be no question that such
trophies 135 will have a place in Christ’s kingdom, as we will find him saying a little afterwards,
You are my crown. (Philippians 4:1.) Nor can it be doubted, that the greater the exploits, the triumph
will be the more splendid. 136
Should any one inquire how it is that Paul now glories in his labors, while he elsewhere forbids
us to glory in any but in the Lord, (1 Corinthians 1:31; 2 Corinthians 10:17,) the answer is easy —
that, when we have prostrated ourselves, and all that we have before God, and have placed in Christ
all our ground of glorying, it is, at the same time, allowable for us to glory through Christ in God’s
benefits, as we have seen in the First Epistle to the Corinthians. 137 The expression, at the day of
the Lord, is intended to stimulate the Philippians to perseverance, while the tribunal of Christ is set
before their view, from which the reward of faith is to be expected.
Philippians 2:17-24
133 “Soustenus ou portez d’elle;” — “Sustained or carried by it.”
134 “Leur turpitude et vilenie;” — “Their disgrace and villany.”
135 “Telles conquestes et marques de triomphe;” — “Such conquests and tokens of triumph.” The term tropaea made use of
by our Author, (corresponding to the Greek term πρόπαια,) properly signifies, monuments of the enemy’s defeat, (προπή.) —
Ed.
136 “Tant plus qu’il y aura de faits cheualeureux, que le triomphe aussi n’en soit d’autant plus magnifique et honorable;” —
“The more there are of illustrious deeds, the triumph also will be so much the more magnificent and honorable.”
137 See Calvin on the Corinthians, vol. 1, pp. 94, 95.
43
John Calvin