Commentary on Philippians, Colossians, and Thessalonians

Comm on Phil, Col, Thes
17 Mark them By this expression he means, that it is all one to him what persons they single
out for themselves for imitation, provided they conform themselves to that purity of which he was
a pattern. By this means all suspicion of ambition is taken away, for the man that is devoted to his
own interests wishes to have no rival. At the same time he warns them that all are not to be imitated
indiscriminately, as he afterwards explains more fully.
Philippians 3:18-21
18. (For many walk, of whom I have told you 18. Multi enim ambulant (quos saepe dicebam
often, and now tell you even weeping, that they vobis, ac nunc etiam flens dico, inimicos esse
are the enemies of the cross of Christ: crucis Christi:
19. Whose end is destruction, whose God is 19. Quorum finis perditio, quorum deus
their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, venter est, et gloria in confusione ipsorum terrena
who mind earthly things.)
cogitantes.)
20. For our conversation is in heaven; from 20. Nostra qutem conversatio in coelis est, e
whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord quibus etiam salvatorem respectamus, Dominum
Jesus Christ:
Iesum Christum.
21. Who shall change our vile body, that it 21. Qui transformabit corpus nostrum humile,
may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, ut sit conforme corpori suo glorioso, secundum
according to the working whereby he is able even efficaciam, qua potest etiam sibi subiicere omnia.
to subdue all things unto himself.
18 For many walk The simple statement, in my opinion, is this — Many walk who mind earthly
things, meaning by this, that there are many who creep upon the ground 195 , not feeling the power
of God’s kingdom. He mentions, however, in connection with this, the marks by which such persons
may be distinguished. These we will examine, each in its order. By earthly things some understand
ceremonies, and the outward elements of the world, which cause true piety to be forgotten, I prefer,
however, to view the term as referring to carnal affection, as meaning that those who are not
regenerated by the Spirit of God think of nothing but the world. This will appear more distinctly
from what follows; for he holds them up to odium on this ground — that, being desirous exclusively
of their own honor, ease, and gain, they had no regard to the edification of the Church.
Of whom I have told you often He shews that it is not without good reason that he has often
warned the Philippians, inasmuch as he now endeavors to remind them by letter of the same things
as he had formerly spoken of to them when present with them. His tears, also, are an evidence that
he is not influenced by envy or hatred of men, nor by any disposition to revile, nor by insolence of
temper, but by pious zeal, inasmuch as he sees that the Church is miserably destroyed 196 by such
pests. It becomes us, assuredly, to be affected in such a manner, that on seeing that the place of
195 “Qui ont leurs affections enracines en la terre;” — “Who have their affections rooted in the earth.”
196 “Perdue et ruinee;” — “Destroyed and ruined.”
64
John Calvin