Commentary on Galatians Ephesians Philippians Colossians Thessalonians Timothy Titus and Philemon John Calvin
Chapter
Philippians 4:1-3
Philippians 4:1-3
1. Therefore, my brethren dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved.
1. Itaque, fratres mei dilecti et desiderati, gaudium et corona mea, sic state in Domino, dilecti.
2. I beseech Euodias, and beseech Syntyche, that they be of the same mind in the Lord.
2. Euodian hortor, et Syntchen hortor, ut unum sentiant in Domino. 3. And I entreat thee also, true yokefellow, help those women which laboured with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and with other my fellowlabourers, whose names are in the book of life.
3. Sane rogo etiam to, germane compar, adiuva eas, quae in evangelio idem mecum certamen sustinuerunt, cum Clemente etiam, et reliquis adiutoribus meis, quorum nomina sunt in libro vitae.
1. Therefore, my brethren He concludes his doctrine, as he is wont, with most urgent exhortations, that he may fix it the more firmly in the minds of men. He also insinuates himself into their affections by endearing appellations 379 , which at the same time are not dictated by flattery, but by sincere affection. He calls them his joy and crown; because, delighted to see those who had been gained over through his instrumentality persevering in the faith 380 , he hoped to attain that triumph, of which we have spoken 381 , when the Lord will reward with a crown those things which have been accomplished under his guidance.
When he bids them so stand fast in the Lord, he means that their condition is approved of by him. At the same time, the particle so might be taken as referring to the doctrine going before; but the former view is more suitable, so that, by praising their present condition, he exhorts them to perseverance. They had already, it is true, given some evidence of their constancy. Paul, however, well knowing human weakness, reckons that they have need of confirmation for the 379"Et les appelant par noms amiables et gracieux, il tasche de gaigner leurs coeurs;" — "And calling them by lovely and kind names, he endeavors to gain their hearts."
380"Estant ioyeux de les veoir perseuerer en la foy, a laquelle ils auoyent este amenez par son moyen;" — "Being delighted to see them persevere in the faith, to which they had been brought through his instrumentality."
381Calvin seems to refer here to what he had said when commenting on Philippians 2:16. See p. 72.—Ed.