Commentary on Philippians, Colossians, and Thessalonians

Comm on Phil, Col, Thes
the view of shutting up the way against all new and strange contrivances, bears testimony to the
doctrine which they had previously received from Epaphras. Afterwards, in entreating that the Lord
would increase their faith, he intimates that something is still wanting to them, that he may pave
the way for imparting to them more solid instruction. On the other hand, he extols with suitable
commendations the grace of God towards them, that they may not lightly esteem it. Then follows
the instruction, in which he teaches that all parts of our salvation are to be found in Christ alone,
that they may not seek anything elsewhere; and he puts them in mind that it was in Christ that they
had obtained every blessing that they possessed, in order that they might the more carefully make
it their aim to retain him to the end. 270 And, truly, even this one article were of itself perfectly
sufficient to lead us to reckon this Epistle, short as it is, to be an inestimable treasure; for what is
of greater importance in the whole system of heavenly doctrine than to have Christ drawn to the
life, that we may distinctly behold 271 his excellence, his office, and all the fruits that arise to us
from it.
For in this respect especially we differ from Papists, that while we are both of us called
Christians, and profess to believe in Christ, they picture to themselves one that is torn, disfigured,
divested of his excellence, denuded of his office, in fine, such as to be a spectre 272 rather than Christ
himself: we, on the other hand, embrace him such as he is here described by Paul — loving and
efficacious. This Epistle, therefore, to express it in one word, distinguishes the true Christ from a
fictitious one 273 — than which nothing better or more excellent can be desired. Towards the end
of the First Chapter he again endeavors to secure authority for himself from the station assigned
him, 274 and in magnificent terms extols the dignity of the gospel.
In the Second Chapter he opens up more distinctly than he had done the reason which had
induced him to write — that he might provide against the danger which he saw to be impending
over them, while he touches, in passing, on the affection which he cherishes towards them, that
they may know that their welfare is the object of his concern. From this he proceeds to exhortation,
by which he applies the foregoing doctrine, as it were, to present use; 275 for he bids them rest in
Christ alone, and brands as vanity everything that is apart from Christ. 276 He speaks particularly
of circumcision, abstinence from food, and of other outward exercises — in which they mistakingly
made the service of God to consist; and also of the absurd worship of angels, whom they put in
Christ’s room. Having made mention of circumcision, he takes occasion to notice also, in passing,
what is the office, and what is the nature of ceremonies — from which he lays it down as a settled
point that they have been abrogated by Christ. These things are treated of till the end of the Second
Chapter.
270 “Et pour les faire plus songneux de la retenir iusqu’a la fin, et s’arrester tousiours en luy, il recite que par Christ ils sont
entrez en participation de tout bien et benediction;” — “And with the view of making them more careful to retain him unto the
end, and remain always in him, he reminds them that it is through Christ that they have begun to participate of every benefit and
blessing.”
271 “Afin que nous puissions aiseement veoir et contempler;” — “That we may be able easily to perceive and contemplate.”
272 “Tel, que c’est plustost vn phantasme qu’ vn vray Christ;” — “Such, that it is rather a phantasm than a true Christ.”
273 “Imaginatif, ou faict a plaiser;” — “Imaginary, or fictitious.”
274 “Pour estre plus authorizé entr’ eux, il fait derechef mention de la charge qu’il auoit receuë de Dieu;” — “That he may have
more authority among them, he again makes mention of the charge which he had received from God.”
275 “A son propos, et a ce dont ils auoyent affaire;” — “To his subject, and to what they had to do with.”
276 “Monstrant, que tout ce qui hors Christ, n’est que vanite;” — “Shewing that everything that is apart from Christ is mere
vanity.”
81
John Calvin