Commentary on Philippians, Colossians, and Thessalonians

More documents

Recommendations

Info

Comm on Phil, Col, Thes In the Third Chapter, in opposition to those vain prescriptions, to the observance of which the false apostles were desirous to bind believers, he makes mention of those true offices of piety in which the Lord would have us employ ourselves; and he begins with the very spring-head — that is, mortification of the flesh and newness of life. From this he derives the streams — that is, particular exhortations, some of which apply to all Christians alike, while others relate more especially to particular individuals, according to the nature of their calling. In the beginning of the Fourth Chapter he follows out the same subject: afterwards, having commended himself to their prayers, he shews by many tokens 277 how much he loves them, and is desirous to promote their welfare. Colossians 1:1-8 CHAPTER 1 1. Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will 1. Paulus apostolus Iesu Christi, per of God, and Timotheus our brother, voluntatem Dei, et Timotheus frater, 2. To the saints and faithful brethren in Christ 2. Sanctis qui sunt Colossis, et fidelibus which are at Colosse: Grace be unto you, and fratribus in Christo; gratia vobis et pax a Deo et peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Patre nostro, et Domino Iesu Christo. Christ. 3. We give thanks to God and the Father of 3. Gratias agimus Deo et Patri Domini nostri our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you, Iesu Christi, semper pro vobis orantes, 4. Since we heard of your faith in Christ 4. Audita fide vestra, quae est in Christo Iesu, Jesus, and of the love which ye have to all the et caritate erga omnes sanctos, saints, 5. For the hope which is laid up for you in 5. Propter spem repositam vobis in coelis, de heaven, whereof ye heard before in the word of qua prius audistis, per sermonem veritatis, nempe the truth of the gospel; Evangelii, 6. Which is come unto you, as it is in all the 6. Quod ad vos pervenit: quemadmodum et world; and bringeth forth fruit, as it doth also in in universo mundo fructificat et propagatur, sicut you, since the day ye heard of it, and knew the etiam in vobis, ex quo die audistis, et cognovistis grace of God in truth: gratiam Dei in veritate. 7. As ye also learned of Epaphras our dear 7. Quemadmodum et didicistis ab Epaphra, fellowservant, who is for you a faithful minister dilecto converso nostro, qui est fidelis erga vos of Christ; minister Christi: 8. Who also declared unto us your love in the 8. Qui etiam nobis manifestavit caritatem Spirit. vestram in Spiritu. 277 “Par plusieurs signes et tesmoignages;” — “By many signs and evidences.” 82 John Calvin
Comm on Phil, Col, Thes 1 Paul an Apostle. I have already, in repeated instances, explained the design of such inscriptions. As, however, the Colossians had never seen him, and on that account his authority was not as yet so firmly established among them as to make his private name 278 by itself sufficient, he premises that he is an Apostle of Christ set apart by the will of God. From this it followed, that he did not act rashly in writing to persons that were not known by him, inasmuch as he was discharging an embassy with which God had intrusted him. For he was not bound to one Church merely, but his Apostleship extended to all. The term saints which he applies to them is more honorable, but in calling them faithful brethren, he allures them more willingly to listen to him. As for other things, they may be found explained in the foregoing Epistles. 3. We give thanks to God. He praises the faith and love of the Colossians, that it may encourage them the more to alacrity and constancy of perseverance. Farther, by shewing that he has a persuasion of this kind respecting them, he procures their friendly regards, that they may be the more favourably inclined and teachable for receiving his doctrine. We must always take notice that he makes use of thanksgiving in place of congratulation, by which he teaches us, that in all our joys we must readily call to remembrance the goodness of God, inasmuch as everything that is pleasant and agreeable to us is a kindness conferred by him. Besides, he admonishes us, by his example, to acknowledge with gratitude not merely those things which the Lord confers upon us, but also those things which he confers upon others. But for what things does he give thanks to the Lord? For the faith and love of the Colossians. He acknowledges, therefore, that both are conferred by God: otherwise the gratitude were pretended. And what have we otherwise than through his liberality? If, however, even the smallest favors come to us from that source, how much more ought this same acknowledgment to be made in reference to those two gifts, in which the entire sum of our excellence consists? To the God and Father. 279 Understand the expression thus — To God who is the Father of Christ. For it is not lawful for us to acknowledge any other God than him who has manifested himself to us in his Son. And this is the only key for opening the door to us, if we are desirous to have access to the true God. For on this account, also, is he a Father to us, because he has embraced us in his only begotten Son, and in him also sets forth his paternal favor for our contemplation. Always for you, Some explain it thus — We give thanks to God always for you, that is, continually. Others explain it to mean — Praying always for you. It may also be interpreted in this way, “Whenever we pray for you, we at the same time give thanks to God;” and this is the simple meaning, “We give thanks to God, and we at the same time pray.” By this he intimates, that the condition of believers is never in this world perfect, so as not to have, invariably, something wanting. For even the man who has begun admirably well, may fall short in a hundred instances every day; and we must ever be making progress while we are as yet on the way. Let us therefore bear in mind that we must rejoice in the favors that we have already received, and give thanks to God for them in such a manner, as to seek at the same time from him perseverance and advancement. 4. Having heard of your faith. This was a means of stirring up his love towards them, and his concern for their welfare, when he heard it that they were distinguished by faith and love. And, unquestionably, gifts of God that are so excellent ought to have such an effect upon us as to stir us 278 “Son simple et priué nom;” — “His simple and private name.” 279 “A Dieu qui est le Pere. Il y auroit mot a mot, A Dieu et Pere;” — “To God who is the Father. It were literally, To God and Father.” 83 John Calvin
Page 1 and 2:
Commentary on Phil
Page 3 and 4:
Commentary on Phil
Page 5 and 6:
Commentary on Phil
Page 7 and 8:
Comm on Phil, Col, Thes COMMENTARIE
Page 9 and 10:
Comm on Phil, Col, Thes accomplish
Page 11 and 12:
Comm on Phil, Col, Thes that he had
Page 13 and 14:
Comm on Phil, Col, Thes writer by t
Page 15 and 16:
Comm on Phil, Col, Thes TO THE VVOR
Page 17 and 18:
Comm on Phil, Col, Thes and modesty
Page 19 and 20:
Comm on Phil, Col, Thes practice wi
Page 21 and 22:
Comm on Phil, Col, Thes 8. Testis e
Page 23 and 24:
Comm on Phil, Col, Thes and seasons
Page 25 and 26:
Comm on Phil, Col, Thes 14. And man
Page 27 and 28:
Comm on Phil, Col, Thes the other b
Page 29 and 30:
Comm on Phil, Col, Thes Through you
Page 31 and 32:
Comm on Phil, Col, Thes personally,
Page 33 and 34:
Comm on Phil, Col, Thes principal v
Page 35 and 36:
Comm on Phil, Col, Thes of his gift
Page 37 and 38: Comm on Phil, Col, Thes inventions.
Page 39 and 40: Comm on Phil, Col, Thes wisdom of G
Page 41 and 42: Comm on Phil, Col, Thes covered wit
Page 43 and 44: Comm on Phil, Col, Thes as, clothed
Page 45 and 46: Comm on Phil, Col, Thes There are,
Page 47 and 48: Comm on Phil, Col, Thes disturbing
Page 49 and 50: Comm on Phil, Col, Thes lamps; whil
Page 51 and 52: Comm on Phil, Col, Thes be the more
Page 53 and 54: Comm on Phil, Col, Thes When, howev
Page 55 and 56: Comm on Phil, Col, Thes he was conc
Page 57 and 58: Comm on Phil, Col, Thes to the Phil
Page 59 and 60: Comm on Phil, Col, Thes When he say
Page 61 and 62: Comm on Phil, Col, Thes that Paul w
Page 63 and 64: Comm on Phil, Col, Thes regret it.
Page 65 and 66: Comm on Phil, Col, Thes as so direc
Page 67 and 68: Comm on Phil, Col, Thes 16. Neverth
Page 69 and 70: Comm on Phil, Col, Thes dream of
Page 71 and 72: Comm on Phil, Col, Thes pastors is
Page 73 and 74: Comm on Phil, Col, Thes us is not a
Page 75 and 76: Comm on Phil, Col, Thes which are s
Page 77 and 78: Comm on Phil, Col, Thes assuredly t
Page 79 and 80: Comm on Phil, Col, Thes thither to
Page 81 and 82: Comm on Phil, Col, Thes 11. Not tha
Page 83 and 84: Comm on Phil, Col, Thes 18. But I h
Page 85 and 86: Comm on Phil, Col, Thes because he
Page 87: Comm on Phil, Col, Thes the view of
Page 91 and 92: Comm on Phil, Col, Thes In addition
Page 93 and 94: Comm on Phil, Col, Thes see what so
Page 95 and 96: Comm on Phil, Col, Thes to the grou
Page 97 and 98: Comm on Phil, Col, Thes competent.
Page 99 and 100: Comm on Phil, Col, Thes Papists, wi
Page 101 and 102: Comm on Phil, Col, Thes perpetuity
Page 103 and 104: Comm on Phil, Col, Thes righteousne
Page 105 and 106: Comm on Phil, Col, Thes Colossians
Page 107 and 108: Comm on Phil, Col, Thes judgment of
Page 109 and 110: Comm on Phil, Col, Thes governed hi
Page 111 and 112: Comm on Phil, Col, Thes full assura
Page 113 and 114: Comm on Phil, Col, Thes Should any
Page 115 and 116: Comm on Phil, Col, Thes position by
Page 117 and 118: Comm on Phil, Col, Thes According t
Page 119 and 120: Comm on Phil, Col, Thes we obtain t
Page 121 and 122: Comm on Phil, Col, Thes For the tre
Page 123 and 124: Comm on Phil, Col, Thes Colossians
Page 125 and 126: Comm on Phil, Col, Thes reason on t
Page 127 and 128: Comm on Phil, Col, Thes Whoever; th
Page 129 and 130: Comm on Phil, Col, Thes 22. All whi
Page 131 and 132: Comm on Phil, Col, Thes is to artif
Page 133 and 134: Comm on Phil, Col, Thes 3. For ye a
Page 135 and 136: Comm on Phil, Col, Thes he shews, a
Page 137 and 138: Comm on Phil, Col, Thes true perfec
Page 139 and 140:
Comm on Phil, Col, Thes in our hear
Page 141 and 142:
Comm on Phil, Col, Thes 22. Servant
Page 143 and 144:
Comm on Phil, Col, Thes 3. Withal p
Page 145 and 146:
Comm on Phil, Col, Thes Colossians
Page 147 and 148:
Comm on Phil, Col, Thes Colossians
Page 149 and 150:
Comm on Phil, Col, Thes When he spe
Page 151 and 152:
Comm on Phil, Col, Thes In the begi
Page 153 and 154:
Comm on Phil, Col, Thes rendered in
Page 155 and 156:
Comm on Phil, Col, Thes pretext of
Page 157 and 158:
Comm on Phil, Col, Thes 9. For they
Page 159 and 160:
Comm on Phil, Col, Thes 1 Thessalon
Page 161 and 162:
Comm on Phil, Col, Thes 7. But we w
Page 163 and 164:
Comm on Phil, Col, Thes human zeal,
Page 165 and 166:
Comm on Phil, Col, Thes Jesus: for
Page 167 and 168:
Comm on Phil, Col, Thes “Behold,
Page 169 and 170:
Comm on Phil, Col, Thes was not a s
Page 171 and 172:
Comm on Phil, Col, Thes It is, howe
Page 173 and 174:
Comm on Phil, Col, Thes I am dead,
Page 175 and 176:
Comm on Phil, Col, Thes Paul’s wo
Page 177 and 178:
Comm on Phil, Col, Thes 6. That no
Page 179 and 180:
Comm on Phil, Col, Thes 10 And we e
Page 181 and 182:
Comm on Phil, Col, Thes As to their
Page 183 and 184:
Comm on Phil, Col, Thes The dead wh
Page 185 and 186:
Comm on Phil, Col, Thes that last j
Page 187 and 188:
Comm on Phil, Col, Thes makes right
Page 189 and 190:
Comm on Phil, Col, Thes Paul would
Page 191 and 192:
Comm on Phil, Col, Thes 15 See that
Page 193 and 194:
Comm on Phil, Col, Thes of free wil
Page 195 and 196:
Comm on Phil, Col, Thes regard be a
Page 197 and 198:
Comm on Phil, Col, Thes itself lays
Page 199 and 200:
Comm on Phil, Col, Thes at hand, is
Page 201 and 202:
Comm on Phil, Col, Thes God, or do
Page 203 and 204:
Comm on Phil, Col, Thes 9 Who shall
Page 205 and 206:
Comm on Phil, Col, Thes He calls hi
Page 207 and 208:
Comm on Phil, Col, Thes customary t
Page 209 and 210:
Comm on Phil, Col, Thes beginnings
Page 211 and 212:
Comm on Phil, Col, Thes translation
Page 213 and 214:
Comm on Phil, Col, Thes fatherly wa
Page 215 and 216:
Comm on Phil, Col, Thes the Prophet
Page 217 and 218:
Comm on Phil, Col, Thes is at varia
Page 219 and 220:
Comm on Phil, Col, Thes Hath chosen
Page 221 and 222:
Comm on Phil, Col, Thes do not deny
Page 223 and 224:
Comm on Phil, Col, Thes however, th
Page 225 and 226:
Comm on Phil, Col, Thes 2 Thessalon
Page 227 and 228:
Comm on Phil, Col, Thes from the am
Page 229 and 230:
Comm on Phil, Col, Thes weight of a
Page 231 and 232:
Comm on Phil, Col, Thes themselves
Page 233 and 234:
Comm on Phil, Col, Thes Indexes Ind
Page 235 and 236:
Comm on Phil, Col, Thes Titus 1:11
Page 237 and 238:
Comm on Phil, Col, Thes •ὑμῶ
Page 239 and 240:
Comm on Phil, Col, Thes •συνα
Page 241 and 242:
Comm on Phil, Col, Thes •cogitare
Page 243 and 244:
Comm on Phil, Col, Thes •Aux autr
Page 245 and 246:
Comm on Phil, Col, Thes •Confianc
Page 247 and 248:
Comm on Phil, Col, Thes •Es chose
Page 249 and 250:
Comm on Phil, Col, Thes •Ils sero
Page 251 and 252:
Comm on Phil, Col, Thes •Mais voy
Page 253 and 254:
Comm on Phil, Col, Thes •Pourcequ
Page 255 and 256:
Comm on Phil, Col, Thes •Signifie
show all

Commentary on Philippians, Colossians, and Thessalonians

Create successful ePaper yourself

Delete template?

Save as template?