Commentary on Philippians, Colossians, and Thessalonians

Comm on Phil, Col, Thes
assuredly these spiritual consolations, by means of which the Lord refreshes and gladdens us, ought
then most of all to show their efficacy when the whole world tempts us to despair. Let us, however,
in connection with the circumstances of the times, consider what efficacy there must have been in
this word uttered by the mouth of Paul, who might have had special occasion of sorrow. 225 For if
they are appalled by persecutions, or imprisonments, or exile, or death, here is the Apostle setting
himself forward, who, amidst imprisonments, in the very heat of persecution, and in fine, amidst
apprehensions of death, is not merely himself joyful, but even stirs up others to joy. The sum, then,
is this — that come what may, believers, having the Lord standing on their side 226 , have amply
sufficient ground of joy.
The repetition of the exhortation serves to give greater force to it: Let this be your strength and
stability, to rejoice in the Lord, and that, too, not for a moment merely, but so that your joy in him
may be perpetuated. 227 For unquestionably it differs from the joy of the world in this respect —
that we know from experience that the joy of the world is deceptive, frail, and fading, and Christ
even pronouces it to be accursed (Luke 6:25). Hence, that only is a settled joy in God which is such
as is never taken away from us.
5 Your moderation This may be explained in two ways. We may understand him as bidding
them rather give up their right, than that any one should have occasion to complain of their sharpness
or severity. “Let all that have to deal with you have experience of your equity and humanity.” In
this way to know, will mean to experience. Or we may understand him as exhorting them to endure
all things with equanimity. 228 This latter meaning I rather prefer; for is a term that is made use of
by the Greeks themselves to denote moderation of spirit — when we are not easily moved by
injuries, when we are not easily annoyed by adversity, but retain equanimity of temper. In accordance
with this, Cicero makes use of the following expression, — “My mind is tranquil, which takes
everything in good part.” 229 Such equanimity — which is as it were the mother of patience — he
requires here on the part of the Philippians, and, indeed, such as will manifest itself to all, according
as occasion will require, by producing its proper effects. The term modesty does not seem appropriate
here, because Paul is not in this passage cautioning them against haughty insolence, but directs
them to conduct themselves peaceably in everything, and exercise control over themselves, even
in the endurance of injuries or inconveniences.
The Lord is at hand Here we have an anticipation, by which he obviates an objection that might
be brought forward. For carnal sense rises in opposition to the foregoing statement. For as the rage
of the wicked is the more inflamed in proportion to our mildness, 230 and the more they see us
prepared for enduring, are the more emboldened to inflict injuries, we are with difficulty induced
to possess our souls in patience. (Luke 21:19.) Hence those proverbs, — “We must howl when
among wolves.” “Those who act like sheep will quickly be devoured by wolves.” Hence we conclude,
225 “Qui plus que tous les autres pouuoit auoir matiere de se contrister;” — “Who might more than all others have had occasion
to indulge sorrow.”“
226 “Ont le Seigneur pour eux;” — “Have the Lord for them.”
227 “Que vostre ioye se continue en iceluy iusques a la fin;” — “That your joy may maintain itself in him until the end.”
228 “En douceur et patience;” — “With sweetness and patience.”
229 “TranquilIus animus meus, qui aequi boni facit omnia.” Calvin here gives the sense, but not the precise words, of Cicero,
which are as follows: “Tranquillissimus autem animus meus, qui totm istuc aequi boni facit;” — “My mind, however, is most
tranquil, which takes all that in good part.” See Cic. Art.7,7. — Ed.
230 “D’autant plus que nous-nous monstrons gracieux et debonnaires;” — “The more that we show ourselves agreeable and
gentle.”
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John Calvin