Commentary on Galatians Ephesians Philippians Colossians Thessalonians Timothy Titus and Philemon John Calvin (continued)
CHAPTER 4
(in every matter,) for (prayer) and (supplication) are feminine nouns. In these words he exhorts the Philippians, as David does all the pious in Psalm 55:22, and Peter also in 1 Peter 5:7, to cast all their care upon the Lord. For we are not made of iron, 405 so as not to be shaken by temptations. But this is our consolation, this is our solace --- to deposit, or (to speak with greater propriety) to disburden in the bosom of God everything that harasses us. Confidence, it is true, brings tranquillity to our minds, but it is only in the event of our exercising ourselves in prayers. Whenever, therefore, we are assailed by any temptation, let us betake ourselves forthwith to prayer, as to a sacred asylum. 406
The term requests he employs here to denote desires or wishes. He would have us make these known to God by prayer and supplication, as though believers poured forth their hearts before God, when they commit themselves, and all that they have, to Him. Those, indeed, who look hither and thither to the vain comforts of the world, may appear to be in some degree relieved; but there is one sure refuge --- leaning upon the Lord.
With thanksgiving As many often pray to God amiss, 407 full of complaints or of murmurings, as though they had just ground for accusing him, while others cannot brook delay, if he does not immediately gratify their desires, Paul on this account conjoins thanksgiving with prayers. It is as though he had said, that those things which are necessary for us ought to be desired by us from the Lord in such a way, that we, nevertheless, subject our affections to his good pleasure, and give thanks while presenting petitions. And, unquestionably, gratitude 408 will have this effect upon us --- that the will of God will be the grand sum of our desires.
7. And the peace of God Some, by turning the future tense into the optative mood, convert this statement into a prayer, but it is without proper foundation. For it is a promise in which he points out the advantage of a firm confidence in God, and invocation of him. ``If* you do that,'' says he, ``the peace of God will keep your minds and hearts.'' Scripture is accustomed to divide the soul of man, as to its frailties, into two parts --- the mind* and the heart. The mind means the understanding, while the heart denotes all the disposition or inclinations. These two terms, therefore, include the entire soul, in this sense, --- ``The peace of God will guard you, so as to prevent you from turning back from God in wicked thoughts or desires.''
It is on good ground that he calls it the peace of God, inasmuch as it does not depend on the present aspect of things, 409 and does not bend itself to the various shiftings of the world, 410 but is founded on the firm and immutable word of God. It is on good grounds, also, that he speaks of it as surpassing all
405"Car nous ne sommes de fer ni d'acier (comme on dit) ne si insensibles;" — "For we are not of iron nor steel, as they say, nor so insensible."
406"Comme a vne franchise;" — "As to a privilege." 407"Autrement qu'ils ne doyuent;" — "Otherwise than they ought." 408"La recognoissance des benefices de Dieu;" — "Gratitude for God's benefits." 409"De ces chc.ses basses;" — "Of these low things." 410"N'est point en branle pour chanceler selon les changemens diuers du monde;" — "Is not in suspense so as to turn about according to the various shiftings of the world."