Commentary on Philippians, Colossians, and Thessalonians

Comm on Phil, Col, Thes
beyond measure, and adversity, on the other hand, to depress. From both faults he declares himself
to be free. I know, says he, to be abased — that is, to endure abasement with patience. Περισσεύειν
is made use of twice, but in the former instance it is employed as meaning, to excel; in the second
instance as meaning, to abound, so as to correspond with the things to which they are exposed. If
a man knows to make use of present abundance in a sober and temperate manner, with thanksgiving,
prepared to part with everything whenever it may be the good pleasure of the Lord, giving also a
share to his brother, according to the measure of his ability, and is also not puffed up, that man has
learned to excel, and to abound. This is a peculiarly excellent and rare virtue, and much superior
to the endurance of poverty. Let all who wish to be Christ’s disciples exercise themselves in acquiring
this knowledge which was possessed by Paul, but in the mean time let them accustom themselves
to the endurance of poverty in such a manner that it will not be grievous and burdensome to them
when they come to be deprived of their riches.
13 I can do all things through Christ As he had boasted of things that were very great, 249 in
order that this might not be attributed to pride or furnish others with occasion of foolish boasting,
he adds, that it is by Christ that he is endowed with this fortitude. “I can do all things,” says he,
“but it is in Christ, not by my own power, for it is Christ that supplies me with strength.” Hence
we infer, that Christ will not be less strong and invincible in us also, if, conscious of our own
weakness, we place reliance upon his power alone. When he says all things, he means merely those
things which belong to his calling.
14 Nevertheless ye did well How prudently and cautiously he acts, looking round carefully in
both directions, that he may not lean too much to the one side or to the other. By proclaiming in
magnificent terms his steadfastness, he meant to provide against the Philippians supposing that he
had given way under the pressure of want. 250 He now takes care that it may not, from his speaking
in high terms, appear as though he despised their kindness — a thing that would not merely shew
cruelty and obstinacy, but also haughtiness. He at the same time provides for this, that if any other
of the servants of Christ should stand in need of their assistance they may not be slow to give him
help.
Philippians 4:15-23
15. Now ye Philippians know also, that in the 15. Nostis autem et vos Philippenses, quod
beginning of the gospel, when I departed from initio Evangelii, qunado exivi ex Macedonia,
Macedonia, no church communicated with me nulla mecum Ecclesia in ratione dati et accepti,
as concerning giving and receiving, but ye only. nisi vos soli.
16. For even in Thessalonica ye sent once 16. Nam et Tessalonicam semel atque iterum
and again unto my necessity.
mihi, quod opus erat, misistis:
17. Not because I desire a gift: but I desire 17. Non quia requiram donum, sed requiro
fruit that may abound to your account. fructum, qui exsuperet in rationem vestram.
249 “De choses grandes et excellentes;” — “Of things great and excellent.”
250 “Qu’il fust abbattu, et eust perdu courage estant en indigence;” — “That he had been overcome, and had lost heart, being
in poverty.”
76
John Calvin