Commentary on Philippians, Colossians, and Thessalonians

Comm on Phil, Col, Thes
should shine forth in them, so as to be obscured in himself. Paul, however, designedly extols the
dignity of angels in terms thus magnificent, that no one may think that it stands in the way of Christ
alone having the pre-eminence over them. He makes use, therefore, of these terms, as it were by
way of concession, as though he had said, that all their excellence detracts nothing from Christ, 308
however honorable the titles with which they are adorned. As for those who philosophize on these
terms with excessive subtlety, that they may draw from them the different orders of angels, let them
regale themselves with their dainties, but they are assuredly very remote from Paul’s design.
17. All things were created by him, and for him. He places angels in subjection to Christ, that
they may not obscure his glory, for four reasons: In the first place, because they were created by
him; secondly, because their creation ought to be viewed as having a relation to him, as their
legitimate end; thirdly, because he himself existed always, prior to their creation; fourthly, because
he sustains them by his power, and upholds them in their condition. At the same time, he does not
affirm this merely as to angels, but also as to the whole world. Thus he places the Son of God in
the Highest seat of honor, that he may have the pre-eminence over angels as well as men, and may
bring under control all creatures in heaven and in earth.
Colossians 1:18-20
18. And he is the head of the body, the 18. Et ipse est caput corporis Ecclesiae, ipse
church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from principium, primogenitus mortuis, ut sit in
the dead; that in all things he might have the omnibus ipse primas tenens:
preeminence:
19. For it pleased the Father that in him 19. Quoniam in ipso placuit omnem
should all fulness dwell;
plenitudinem inhabitare.
20. And, having made peace through the 20. Et per ipsum reconciliare omnia sibi,
blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things pacificando per sanguinem crucis eius, per ipsum,
unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be tam quae sunt super terram, quam quae sunt in
things in earth, or things in heaven.
coelis.
18. The head of the body. Having discoursed in a general way of Christ’s excellence, and of
his sovereign dominion over all creatures, he again returns to those things which relate peculiarly
to the Church. Under the term head some consider many things to be included. And, unquestionably,
he makes use afterwards, as we shall find, of the same metaphor in this sense — that as in the
human body it serves as a root, from which vital energy is diffused through all the members, so the
life of the Church flows out from Christ, etc. (Colossians 2:19.) Here, however, in my opinion, he
speaks chiefly of government. He shews, therefore, that it is Christ that alone has authority to govern
the Church, that it is he to whom alone believers ought to have an eye, and on whom alone the
unity of the body depends.
308 “N’oste rien a la gloire de Christ;” — “Takes nothing from the glory of Christ.”
92
John Calvin