Commentary on Philippians, Colossians, and Thessalonians

Comm on Phil, Col, Thes
believers ought to lead a heavenly life in this world. “They mind earthly things: it is therefore
befitting that we, whose conversation is in heaven, should be separated from them.” 202 We are, it
is true, intermingled here with unbelievers and hypocrites; nay more, the chaff has more of
appearance in the granary of the Lord than wheat. Farther, we are exposed to the common
inconveniences of this earthly life; we require, also, meat and drink, and other necessaries, but we
must, nevertheless, be conversant with heaven in mind and affection. For, on the one hand, we must
pass quietly through this life, and, on the other hand, we must be dead to the world that Christ may
live in us, and that we, in our turn, may live to him. This passage is a most abundant source of many
exhortations, which it were easy for any one to elicit from it.
Whence also. From the connection that we have with Christ, he proves that our citizenship 203
is in heaven, for it is not seemly that the members should be separated from their Head. Accordingly,
as Christ is in heaven, in order that we may be conjoined with him, it is necessary that we should
in spirit dwell apart from this world. Besides,
where our treasure is, there is our heart also.
(Matthew 6:21.)
Christ, who is our blessedness and glory, is in heaven: let our souls, therefore, dwell with him
on high. On this account he expressly calIs him Savior. Whence does salvation come to us? Christ
will come to us from heaven as a Savior. Hence it were unbefitting that we should be taken up with
this earth 204 . This epithet, Savior, is suited to the connection of the passage; for we are said to be
in heaven in respect of our minds on this account, that it is from that source alone that the hope of
salvation beams forth upon us. As the coming of Christ will be terrible to the wicked, so it rather
turns away their minds from heaven than draws them thither: for they know that he will come to
them as a Judge, and they shun him so far as is in their power. From these words of Paul pious
minds derive the sweetest consolation, as instructing them that the coming of Christ is to be desired
by them, inasmuch as it will bring salvation to them. On the other hand, it is a sure token of
incredulity, when persons tremble on any mention being made of it. See the eighth chapter of the
Romans. While, however, others are transported with vain desires, Paul would have believers
contented with Christ alone.
Farther, we learn from this passage that nothing mean or earthly is to be conceived of as to
Christ, inasmuch as Paul bids us look upward to heaven, that we may seek him. Now, those that
reason with subtlety that Christ is not shut up or hid in some corner of heaven, with the view of
proving that his body is everywhere, and fills heaven and earth, say indeed something that is true,
but not the whole: for as it were rash and foolish to mount up beyond the heavens, and assign to
Christ a station, or seat, or place of walking, in this or that region, so it is a foolish and destructive
madness to draw him down from heaven by any carnal consideration, so as to seek him upon earth.
Up, then, with our hearts 205 , that they may be with the Lord.
21 Who will change By this argument he stirs up the Philippians still farther to lift up their
minds to heaven, and be wholly attached to Christ — because this body which we carry about with
202 “Que nous soyons diuisez et separez d’auec eux;” — “That we be divided and separated from them.”
203 Politiam — a term corresponding to that employed in the original,.—Ed.
204 “Que nous soyons occupez et enueloppez en terre;” — “That we should be occupied and entangled with the earth.”
205 Sursum corda Our Author most probably alludes to the circumstance, that this expression was wont to be made use of
among Christians in ancient times, when the ordinance of the supper was about to be administered. See Calvin’s Institutes, vol.
3, p. 440 — Ed.
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John Calvin