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Commentary on Philippians, Colossians, and Thessalonians

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Commentary on Philippians, Colossians, and Thessalonians Commentary on Philippians, Colossians, and Thessalonians Author(s): Calvin, John (1509-1564) (Alternative) (Translator) Publisher: Grand Rapids, MI: Christian Classics Ethereal Library Description: Commentary on Philippians, Colossians, and Thessalonians is another impressive commentary by Calvin on several Pauline epistles. Calvin is regarded as one of the Reforma- tion©s best interpreters of scripture. He frequently offers his own translations of a passage, explaining the subtleties and nuances of his translation. He has a penchant for incorporat- ing keen pastoral insight into the text as well. He always in- teracts with other theologians, commentators, and portions of the Bible when interpreting a particular passage. Further, this volume also contains informative notes from the editor. Calvin©s Commentary on Philippians, Colossians, and Thes- salonians should not be ignored by anyone interested in those books or Calvin himself. Tim Perrine CCEL Staff Writer Subjects: The Bible Works about the Bible i Contents Commentary on Philippians, Colossians, Thessalonians 1 Translator's Preface 2 Dedication to the 1581 English Edition 11 Commentary on Philippians 12 The Argument 12 Chapter 1 14 Philippians 1:1-6 15 Philippians 1:7-11 20 Philippians 1:12-17 25 Philippians 1:18-21 30 Philippians 1:22-26 33 Philippians 1:27-30 36 Chapter 2 40 Philippians 1-4 41 Philippians 2:5-11 45 Philippians 2:12-16 53 Philippians 2:17-24 61 Philippians 2:25-30 66 Chapter 3 71 Philippians 3:1-6 72 Philippians 3:7-11 79 Philippians 3:12-17 85 Philippians 3:18-21 90 Chapter 4 95 Philippians 4:1-3 96 Philippians 4:4-9 100 ii Philippians 4:10-14 106 Philippians 4:15-23 109 Commentary on Colossians 113 The Argument 113 Chapter 1 116 Colossians 1:1-8 117 Colossians 1:9-11 122 Colossians 1:12-17 125 Colossians 1:18-20 131 Colossians 1:21-23 135 Colossians 1:24-29 140 Chapter 2 148 Colossians 2:1-5 149 Colossians 2:6-7 154 Colossians 2:8-12 156 Colossians 2:13-15 162 Colossians 2:16-19 166 Colossians 2:20-23 173 Chapter 3 178 Colossians 3:1-4 179 Colossians 3:5-8 182 Colossians 3:9-13 185 Colossians 3:14-17 188 Colossians 3:18-25 192 Chapter 4 195 Colossians 4:1-4 196 Colossians 4:5-9 199 Colossians 4:10-13 202 Colossians 4:14-18 204 Commentary on First Thessalonians 207 Calvin's Dedication 207 The Argument 208 iii Chapter 1 209 1 Thessalonians 1:1 210 1 Thessalonians 1:2-5 211 1 Thessalonians 1:6-8 216 1 Thessalonians 1:9-10 218 Chapter 2 221 1 Thessalonians 2:1-4 222 1 Thessalonians 2:5-8 224 1 Thessalonians 2:9-12 227 1 Thessalonians 2:13-16 230 1 Thessalonians 2:17-20 234 Chapter 3 237 1 Thessalonians 3:1-5 238 1 Thessalonians 3:6-10 241 1 Thessalonians 3:11-13 244 Chapter 4 246 1 Thessalonians 4:1-5 247 1 Thessalonians 4:6-8 249 1 Thessalonians 4:9-12 251 1 Thessalonians 4:13-14 254 1 Thessalonians 4:15-18 256 Chapter 5 259 1 Thessalonians 5:1-5 260 1 Thessalonians 5:6-10 263 1 Thessalonians 5:11--14 266 1 Thessalonians 5:15-22 270 1 Thessalonians 5:23-28 276 Commentary on Second Thessalonians 279 Calvin's Dedication 279 The Argument 280 Chapter 1 281 2 Thessalonians 1:1-7 282 iv 2 Thessalonians 1:7-10 287 2 Thessalonians 1:11-12 290 Chapter 2 292 2 Thessalonians 2:1-2 293 2 Thessalonians 2:3-4 296 2 Thessalonians 2:5-8 301 2 Thessalonians 2:9-12 305 2 Thessalonians 2:13-14 309 2 Thessalonians 2:15-17 312 Chapter 3 314 2 Thessalonians 3:1-5 315 2 Thessalonians 3:6-10 319 2 Thessalonians 3:11-13 323 2 Thessalonians 3:14-18 326 Indexes 329 Index of Scripture References 330 Index of Scripture Commentary 333 Greek Words and Phrases 334 Hebrew Words and Phrases 338 Latin Words and Phrases 339 French Words and Phrases 342 v This PDF file is from the Christian Classics Ethereal Library, www.ccel.org. The mission of the CCEL is to make classic Christian books available to the world. • This book is available in PDF, HTML, Kindle, and other formats. See http://www.ccel.org/ccel/calvin/calcom42.html. • Discuss this book online at http://www.ccel.org/node/3380. The CCEL makes CDs of classic Christian literature available around the world through the Web and through CDs. We have distributed thousands of such CDs free in developing countries. If you are in a developing country and would like to receive a free CD, please send a request by email to [email protected]. The Christian Classics Ethereal Library is a self supporting non-profit organization at Calvin College. If you wish to give of your time or money to support the CCEL, please visit http://www.ccel.org/give. This PDF file is copyrighted by the Christian Classics Ethereal Library. It may be freely copied for non-commercial purposes as long as it is not modified. All other rights are re- served. Written permission is required for commercial use. vi Commentary on Philippians, Colossians, Thessalonians Commentary on Philippians, Colossians, Thessalonians COMMENTARIES ON THE EPISTLE OF PAUL TO THE PHILIPPIANS, COLOSSIANS, AND THESSALONIANS BY JOHN CALVIN TRANSLATED AND EDITED FROM THE ORIGINAL LATIN, AND COLATED WITH THE FRENCH VERSION BY THE REV. JOHN PRINGLE CHRISTIAN CLASSICS ETHEREAL LIBRARY GRAND RAPIDS, MI http://www.ccel.org 1 Translator©s Preface Translator's Preface TRANSLATOR’S PREFACE The Commentaries of Calvin on the Epistles of Paul are generally considered to be among the most successful of his Expositions of Scripture. In the writings, indeed, of one whose vast powers have been applied to the exposition of nearly the whole of the Inspired Volume, and whose rare endowments, as an interpreter of Scripture, have drawn forth ex- pressions of the profoundest admiration even from the most inveterate adversaries of the system of doctrine maintained by him, there is room for some diversity of opinion as to the particular portions of Divine truth which he has most successfully expounded. It is mentioned by M. Teissier, in his extracts from M. de Thou’s History, 1 that “although all the works of Calvin have merited the esteem of persons of good taste, he has in the opinion of some succeeded best in unfolding the doctrine of Providence,” while, according to Joseph Scaliger, who “reckoned Calvin to have had a divine genius, and to have excelled in the explication of Scripture, so that no one among the ancients could be compared” to him, “the best of his theological treatises was his Commentary on Daniel.” While, however, there may be some difference of opinion among the many admirers of Calvin as to the particular portion of his expository writings, in which his vast powers shine forth to most advantage, there can be no question that his expositions of the Epistles of Paul are singularly felicitous. It is stated by Tholuck, in his view of Calvin as an interpreter of the Holy Scriptures, that among his Commentaries on the new Testament, “those on the Epistles of Paul are by far the best,” and that “in the Pauline Epistles, he merges himself in the spirit of the Apostle, and becoming one with him, as every one clearly feels, he deduces everywhere the explanation of that which is particular from that which is general.” 2 A similar view of the peculiar excellence of Calvin’s expositions of the Epistles of Paul is given by Böhmer, of Berlin, in his introduction to the Epistle to the Colossians, (as quoted by the late Dr. Pye Smith, in his encomium on the writings of Calvin.) “John Calvin well merited the epithet, often given to him, of The Great Divine. Independent, in the highest degree, of other men, he most often discerns, with piercing eye, the spiritual mind of Paul, and with his masterly command of language, makes it so clear, that both the most learned student of theology, and the plain affectionate believer, are equally benefited and satisfied.” 3 That the Expository Treatises of Calvin on Paul’s Epistles should be considered by the most eminent critics to be peculiarly successful is the more remarkable, when we take into view the disadvantageous circumstances under which most, if not all, of them were prepared. His Commentaries on six of Paul’s Epistles were written by him (as we are informed by 1 Les Eloges des Hommes Savans.” — Tom. 1, p. 240. 2 “Merits of CALVIN,” pp. 6, 31. 3 Ibid., pp. 65, 66. 2 Translator©s Preface Beza, in his Life of Calvin 4 ) in 1548, a year of most harassing conflict with the enemies of the truth. His Correspondence, however, at this period, clearly shews that his devout mind found tranquility in an assurance of Divine support. In writing to Brentius, who was then living in exile at Basle, he says: “Amidst all these calamities one consideration supports and refreshes my mind: I assure myself that God, in commencing the wonderful restoration of his Church, which we have witnessed, has not held out a vain and transient hope to us, but has begun a work that he will not fail to accomplish in spite of the malice of men and the opposition of Satan. In the meantime let us patiently undergo the purification which is ne- cessary for us.” 5 It manifestly appears, also, from the Dedicatory Epistle prefixed to his Commentaries on four of Paul’s Epistles, addressed to Christopher, Duke of Wirtemberg, that he had found the Epistles of Paul peculiarly consoling to his mind amidst outward troubles.
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