Commentary on Colossians, Chapter 4
¶ The fourth Chapter.
1 Mayſters giuegive to your Seruauntes that which is right, and mutuall vprightneſſe,Equalitie. knowing that you alſo hauehave a mayſter in heauen.
2 Be inſtaunt in prayer, watching in the ſame, with thankes giuing.
3 Praye you in like manner for vsus, that GOD maye open vntounto vsus the gate of ſpeeche to ſpeake the myſterie of Chriſt, for whoſe alſo cauſe I am a priſoner.
4 That I maye make it apparaunte, euen as I oughte to ſpeake.
MAisters giuegive to your. &c. Hee putteth, that which is iuſt, in the firſt place, by which he meaneth that humanitie whereof hee gaue commaundement Ephe. 6.8. But for becauſe that the ſtate of Seruauntes is viewed of mayſters as it were from alofte, ſo that they thinke themſelues to be bounde by no Lawe: Paule bringeth them into courſe and order: becauſe both of them alike are vnderunder the imperie and commaundement of God. and hereof commeth this equalitie or rightneſſe whereof he maketh mention. And mutuall or like equabilitie, or indifferencie. Some doe otherwiſe expound it: but I doubt not but Paule in this place put foreign for right that is aunſwerable from one partie to an other, or that which one party giueth to another: as to the Epheſians he vſed foreign. For mayſters hauehave not ſo their ſeruauntes vnderunder them, but that they in like maner owe ſome duty vntounto them: as conuenient and proportionable righte and equall dealing ought to bee in force among all ſortes of perſons.
2 Be inſtaunt in prayer. He returneth to generall exhortations, in which we may not looke for an exact and ſtricte order: for if we did, hee ſhoulde beginne with prayer: but Paule hath not greatly reſpected that [viZ. order]. Furthermore in this place he ſetteth out two thinges in prayer, firſt continuance or often vſe thereof, after that readineſſe or an earneſt intente. For when he ſayth, Be inſtaunt, he exhorteth to perſeueraunce. Hee ſetteth Watching oppoſite vntounto coldneſſe and careleſneſſe. Hee putteth to thankeſgiuing, becauſe that in ſuch wiſe God is to bee prayed too for our preſent neceſſitye, that in the mean while we forget not thoſe benefites which we hauehave alreadye receiued. Moreouer we ought not to be ſo importunate, that wee repine and bee diſpleaſed, if ſtraighte waye GOD fulfill not our deſires and prayers, but with patient myndes to receyue whatſoeuer he ſhall giuegive. So there is two maner of thankesgiuing ne-neceſſarye. Of which poynt ſomething hath bene alſo ſayde Philippians. 4.6.
3 Praye you in like maner for vsus. Hee doeth not counterfeite this: but becauſe he knewe his owne neceſſitie, he did in earneſt wiſhe to be helped with their prayers, and hee was perſwaded that the ſame would do him good. Who now dare then ſet light by the interceſſions of the bretheren, of which Paule confeſſeth himſelfe to hauehave neede? And certaynlye the Lorde hath not in vayne ordayned this excerciſe of charitie among vsus, that one of vsus ſhould pray for an other. Therefore euerye one oughte, not onelyonly to praye for the bretheren, but interchaungeablye alſo to deſire ayde earneſtlye of other folkes prayers alſo, as oft as the matter ſo requireth. But childiſh is the argument or reaſon of the Papiſtes, who gather thereof that the dead are to bee called vponupon, that they may pray for vsus. For wherein is it like? Paule commendeth himſelfe to the prayers of the bretheren, with whom he knew that by the commaundement of God he had mutuall communication, but who will not ſay that this reaſon (of mutuall communicating) ceaſeth in the dead? Therfore letting paſſe ſuch follies, let vsus returne to Paule. as we hauehave in Paule a notable example of modeſtie, in that hee calleth vntounto others to ayde and aſſiſt him, ſo alſo are we admoniſhed that it is a matter full of great difficultie, conſtantly to abide in the defence of the Goſpell, ſpecially when daunger doeth vrge. And not without cauſe doth he deſire the Churches in this cauſe to ayde him. And withall conſider his ardent zeale how meruailous it is. He is not carefull for his owne ſauegarde, hee deſireth not that prayers bee poured forth by the Churches for himſelfe, that hee may be deliuered from the daunger of death. Hee is content with this one thing, if he abide inuincible and vnfearefull in the profeſſion of the Goſpell. ſo ſecurely and vnfearefully doth he preferre the glorye of Chriſt, and the ſpreading abrode of the Goſpell before his owne life. But by the gate of ſpeeche, he playnely meaneth that which he calleth Ephe. 6.19. the opening of his mouth: and that which Chriſte calleth Mouth and Wiſedome. For this maner of ſpeaking differeth nothing at al from that former in meaning, but onelyonly in faſhion. For with an elegant Metaphor hath he in this place ſhewed playnelye, that it is neuer a whit more eaſie for vsus, to ſpeak boldly touching the Goſpell, than to breake thorowe a gate that is ſhut and barred. For this is truelye the worke of God, as alſo Chriſte did ſaye, It is not you that ſpeake, but the Spirite of youre Father whiche ſpeaketh in you: Math 10.10. Hauinge therefore ſette forth the difficultie thereof, he pricketh forth the Colloſſians the more to praye, when he teſtifieth that hee cannot otherwiſe ſpeake rightly, except his tongue bee directed of the Lord. Secondly he draweth his argument from the worthineſſe of the things, when he calleth the Goſpell the myſterie of Chriſt. Neither muſt we ſlightly labour or take payns in ſo great a matter. Thirdly he maketh mention alſo of his danger.
4 As I ought. This peece augmenteth the difficultie: for hee meaneth that it is not a vulgar or common thing. To the Epheſians hee addeth, that I may boldly behaue my ſelfe. Whereof appeareth that hee wiſhed to himſelfe an vnfearefull boldeneſſe and confidence, ſuch as becommeth the maieſtie of the Goſpell. Furdermore where as Paule doeth nothing here, but that hee wiſheth grace to bee giuen him to fulfill his office: let vsus remember that it is a rule in like manner preſcribed vntounto vsus, that wee geue not place to the furye of the aduerſaries, but that wee labour and ſtriue euen to the death to ſette forthe the Goſpell. And becauſe that is aboue our abillitie and power, it is meete that wee bee inſtaunte in prayers, that the Lord leaue vsus not deſtitute of the Spirite of boldneſſe.
5 Walke wiſely toward them that are without, redeeming the time.
6 Let your ſpeeche alway be in grace poudered with ſalte: that you may know how you ought to anſwere to eueryevery man.
7 Tichicus a beloued brother and a faithfull miniſter and a fellow ſeruaunt in the Lord, ſhall make known vntounto you all mine affaires.
8 Whom I hauehave ſēt vntounto you for this cauſe, that you might know mine eſtate, and that your hartes mighte bee comforted.
9 With Oneſimus a faithfull and beloued brother, which is of you. All thinges ſhall be made known vntounto you which are here (done.)
5 Walke wiſely. He ſetteth them without, or forreyners, oppoſite to them that are of the houſhold of fayth. For the Church is like a Citie, whoſe inhabitants are all faythfull, knit togeather with a mutual kindred or neighbourhood among thēſelues: and forreyners are the vnbeleeuers. But why will Paule hauehave theſe reſpected before the faythfull? There are three cauſes. Firſt that to the blinde there be no ſtumbling block layde. becauſe nothing is more ready than for vnbeleeuers by our vnwarineſſe to be made worſe, and to hauehave their myndes wounded, ſo that they dayly more and more abhorre religion. Secondly that there be no cauſe and occaſion giuen them to ſlaunder the Goſpell, and ſo the name of Chriſt be layde forth to be mocked, they are made worſe, and turmoyles and perſecutions rayſed. Laſtly that while we keepe company with them at meate and other affaires, we be not ſtayned with their ſpotts, and by a little and a little waxe prophane and holye. To whiche purpoſe belongeth that which followeth, Redeemyng the tyme. Becauſe the conuerſation of ſuch is daungerous, for Ephe. 5.16. he ſheweth the reaſon, becauſe the dayes are euill: as if he ſhould ſaye, In ſo great corruption of the world the occaſion of well doing muſt be taken, and me muſt ſtriue with thoſe things that are lets. Therfore with how many the more ſtombling blocks our waye is encloſed, ſo much the more attentiuelye muſt we beware that oure feete ſtumble not, or that we through ſlouth ſitte not ſtill idlely.
6 Let your ſpeeche. He requireth pleaſantneſſe of ſpeeche, which may by the commoditie thereof allure the bearers. for hee doeth not condemne only ſuch ſpeeches as are apparantlye wicked or vngodly, but alſo ſuch as are of no accounte or idle. Therefore he biddeth that they be poudered with ſalte. Prophane perſons hauehave their ſaltes or wittie ſayinges and conceits, but he ſpea…eth not of them: nay rather becauſe pleaſaunt and wittie conceates are plauſible, and for the moſt parte winne fauour, he declareth after a ſort the faithfull from the vſe and cuſtome of them, For he counteth it vnſauery, whatſoeuer it bee that edifieth not. In the ſame ſence is the worde grace, put: that it may be contrary to ſcoffing, and all kynde of fables and toyes which eyther hurt or elſe are vayn. That you may know how, He that hath accuſtomed himſelfe vntounto circumſpecte ſpeeches, ſhall not fall into many abſurdities and inconueniences, into which thoſe that are ful of words, and bablers many times doe fall: but by continuall vſe hee will gette himſelfe knowledge how to aunſwere well and directly. As agayne it muſte needes be that blabbe tongue fellowes doe ſette oute and offer themſelues to be mocked and laughed at as oft as they bee aſked a queſtion of any thing, wherein they ſuffer iuſt puniſhment for their fooliſh babling. Neyther doth he ſay only What, but alſo How (we muſt ſpeake): nor yet to all indifferentlye, but to eueryevery (and ſinguler) perſon. For this is not the worſt poynte of prudencie and ſkill, to hauehave a conſideration of eueryevery one.
9 Myne affayres. To the end the Coloſſans may knowe what great care he hath ouer them, he doth confirme and aſſure them as it were with a pledge geuen. For whereas he was in priſon, and in hazarde of his life, without hauing regarde of himſelfe, he ſeeth to them, by ſending Tychicus vntounto them. wherein appeareth as well the ſingular zeale of the holye Apoſtle, as his prudencie and wit. for this is no ſmall matter, that whileſt he is helde priſoner, and is in extreame perill for the Goſpell, yet hee ceaſſeth not but giueth his diligence to promote and ſette forwarde the Goſpell, and hath a care for all Churches. So his body iwis is ſhut in priſon, but his hart which is carefull, to doe as much as may be, ſpreadeth it ſelfe farre and wide. It is prudencie and wit, in that he ſendeth a meete and diſcreete perſon that maye confirme and eſtabliſh them as muche as is needefull and that maye reſiſt and withſtande the wilineſſe of the falſe Apoſtles: moreouer for that hee keepeth ſtill with him Epaphras, vntill they ſhall trie what and how greate a conſente in doctrine were among all the true teachers: and that they ſhall hauehave hearde the ſame of Tychicus that before they had learne… of Epaphras. Lette vsus diligentlye conſider of theſe examples, that they maye ſtirre vsus to the immitating of the like ſtudye and zeale. He putteth in Oneſimus alſo, to the ende the meſſage maye hauehave the more waight. Although it bee vncertaine who this Oneſimus was. for it is ſcant credible, that this is that Seruaunt of Philemon, becauſe the name of a Theefe and a runne awaye had bene in hazard reproche and miſliking. He ſetteth them both out with honeſt titles, that they maye doe the more good among them: and Tychicus ſpecially who was to vſeth office of teaching.
10 Ariſtarchus my priſon fellowe ſaluteth you, and ſo doeth Marke the Coſine of Barnabas: concearning whome you hauehave receyued commaundementes if hee come vntounto you, that you receaue him.
11 And Ieſus whiche is called Iuſtus, who are of the Circumciſion, theſe alone were workers with me into the kingdome of God, who were to me a comfort
12 Epaphras ſaluteth you, which is of you a ſeruaunt of Chriſt, alwayes ſtriuing for you in prayers: that you may ſtande perfect and fulfilled in all the will of God.
12 For I beare him witneſſe, that he hath great care ouer you, and ouer them who are at Laodicia and Hieropolis.
10 My priſon fellow. Hereby appeareth, that other came vntounto Paule, after he was brought to Rome. And it is credible that his enemies at the firſt earneſtly laboured, to feare awaye by puniſhing them as they did him, all the godly from helping him, and that this preuayled for a time: but afterward ſome, taking harte vntounto them, not to hauehave regarded whatſoeuer terrour was layde b…fore them. That you receaue him. Some bookes hauehave, Receaue him, in the imperatiue moode: but wrong for he expreſſeth that kinde of commaundement which the Coloſſians had receaued: namely that it was the commendacion of eyther Barnabas or Marke: which latter is more probable. In the greeke it is the infinitiue moode, but yet it muſt be ſo reſolued as I hauehave done it. And let vsus marke that they were diligent in giuing teſtimonye: that they mighte diſcerne good men from falſe brethren, from dranes, from deceiuers, and many that were ſtraggelers and wanderers about. Which diligence and care is at theſe dayes more than neceſſarie: ether for becauſe vertuous teachers hauehave cold entertainment: or elſe for that foliſhe perſons and ſuch as are light of beleefe or ouer liberall bent and endaungered to deceiuers.
11 Theſe alone were workers. That is of them which were circumciſed: for he nameth others afterward, but thoſe vncircumciſed. He meaneth than that there were fewe Iewes at Rome which ſhewed themſelues helpers to the Goſpell: but rather that the whole nation was aduerſarye to Chriſt. Although by Workers he vnderſtandeth them only which excelled in neceſſary giftes to further the Goſpel. But where was Peter at ye tyme? Surely either he was ſhamefully paſſed ouer here, and not without iniury: or elſe they fable that holde he was then at Rome. Furthermore he calleth ye goſpel the kingdom of God. for it is euen the ſcepter whereby God raigneth ouer vsus, and by it we hauehave the adoption into life euerlaſting. But of this more is ſpoken in another place.
12 Alwayes ſtriuing.) An example of a good Paſtor, who by meanes of diſtaunce of place doth in no wiſe forget the Church, but carieth the care thereof with him ouer the ſea. And note the force of the prayer, whiche is expreſſed in the worde, Striuing. For although in this place Paule meante to note the vehemencie of affection, yet withall hee moniſheth the Coloſſians, that they account not the prayers of their Paſtor to be in vayne: but rather that they account them to bee no ſmall helpe to them. Laſtly let vsus gather out of Paules wordes, that this is the perfection of Chriſtians, while they ſt…e fulfilled and in the will of God: leſt that they builde their purpoſe of life vponupon any other thing elſe.
14 Luke the beloued Phiſitian ſaluteth you, and ſo doth Damas.
14 Salute the Bretheren which are at Laodicea, and Nymphas, and the Church which is at his houſe.
16 And when the Epiſtle ſhall alſo bee reade among you, cauſe that it bee alſo read in the Church of the Laodicians: and that you reade that Epiſtle whiche is from Laodicia.
17 And ſaye you to Archippus, Looke to the Miniſterie which thou haſt receaued in the Lord, that thou fulfill it.
18 The ſalutation of Paule with myne owne hande. Bee myndefull of my bandes. Grace bee with you, Amen.
¶ Sent from Rome, by Tichicus and Oneſimus.
14 Luke ſaluteth you.) I am not of their mynds, who think this to be Luke ye Euangeliſt, for I iudge he was better known than that there needed ſuch a kinde of ſhewing: and he ſhould hauehave bene ſet forth with a more worſhipfull title: certaynelye he would hauehave called him eyther his fellow helper, or at the leſt his faythfull and truſtye companyon, and partener of his contentions & buſineſſe. I rather coniecture that he was than away, and this other to be diſcerned from him by the name of a Phiſition. Although I contende not about it as being a certaintye: but I doe only bring coniectures. This Demas of whiche hee maketh mention, is the ſame without doubt whome he complaineth afterwarde to hauehave forſaken him, 2. Tim. 4.10. When he ſpeaketh of the houſholde Church of Nymphas, let vsus remember that in one houſhold is preſcribed of what faſhion it beſeemeth all the houſholders of Chriſtians to be: namely that they be ſo many ſmall Churches. Wherefore let eueryevery man knowe, that this charge is layd vponupon him, that he inſtruct his houſe in the feare of the Lord, that he keepe it vnderunder holy diſcipline, to be ſhort, that in the ſame he faſhion an Image or repreſentation of the Church.
16 Let it be reade … Church of the Laodyceans. This Epiſtle howſoeuer it was entituled to the Coloſſians, yet ought it to profite other. The like muſte we thinke of all the Epiſtles. They were in deede written once to certain Churches by name: but becauſe they contayn a perpetuall doctrine, and that which is common to all ages: it makes no matter what title they hauehave. For the argu… and matter belongeth to vsus. The other Epiſtle whereof alſo he maketh mention, they hauehave thought, though vntruly, to hauehave bene written by Paule. They are twice deceiued who hauehave thought Paul to hauehave writtē to the Laodiceās. I doubt not but that it was an Epiſtle ſent to Paule, the reading whereof might be profitable to the Coloſſians: as Cities are accuſtomed which are nere one to the other to hauehave many thinges common betwene them. And it was to groſſe a deceite, that, I wot not what Varlet, vnderunder this pretence, durſte ſubborne and counterfeite ſo vnſauerie an Epiſtle, that nothing could be deuiſed more contrary to the ſpirite of Paule [than it].
17 Say ye to A…chippus. As nere as I can geſſe, this Arch…ppus ſupplied the roome of the Paſtor, whileſt Epaphras was away. It may happe he was not ſuche an one, as of himſelfe w… ſtrong ynough, except he were pricked forth. Therefore Paules will is that he bee hartened on to doe the better at the motion of the whole Churche. He moughte hauehave warned him in his owne name: but he enioyneth the Coloſſians to doe it, to the ende they may knowe that they ought to prick their Paſtor forwarde alſo, if they ſee him to be colde, and the Paſtor himſelfe maye not refuſe to bee monyſhed of the Churche. For the Miniſters of the Worde are endewed with high power, but yet ſuche as is not looſe from Lawes. And therefore it is neceſſarie that they ſhewe the…elues apte to learne, if they will teache others well. In that Paule doeth agayne ſette forth his bandes he declareth thereby that hee is not lightly or a little greeued. For hee was mindfull of humayne infirmitie: and without doubt he fete in himſelfe certayne prickings therof, whē he ſo greatly deſired that all the godly ſhould be mindful of his trouble. But this is … ſigne of diſtruſtfulnes, when he doth require on all ſides the …des and …lpes that by the Lord are appoynted him. The ſubſcribing of his hande, as elſewhere is ſeene, declareth that euen than there flewe abroad forged Epiſtles, in ſo much that it was but neede to ſtoppe and preuent falſe dealing.
Finis.
End of the text · John Calvin, Commentary on Colossians (1581)