Commentary on Galatians Ephesians Philippians Colossians Thessalonians Timothy Titus and Philemon John Calvin (continued)
John Calvin previously compared the cross to a signal trophy or show of triumph, in which Christ led about his enemies, so he now also compares it to a triumphal car, in which he shewed himself conspicuously to view. 550 For although in the cross there is nothing but curse, it was, nevertheless, swallowed up by the power of God in such a way, that it 551 has put on, as it were, a new nature. For there is no tribunal so magnificent, no throne so stately, no show of triumph so distinguished, no chariot so elevated, 552 as is the gibbet on which Christ has subdued death and the devil, the prince of death; nay more, has utterly trodden them under his feet.
Colossians 2:16-19
Colossians 2:16-19
16. Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath-days:
16. Itaque ne quis vos iudicet 553 vel in cibo, vel in potu, vel in parte 554 diei festi, vel neomeniae, vel sabbatorum:
17. Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ. 17. Quae sunt umbra futurorum, corpus autem Christi. 18. Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshipping of angels, intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind,
18. Ne quis palmam eripiat, volens in humilitate et cultu Angelorum, (id facere,) in ea quae non vidit se ingerens, frustra inflatus a mente carnis suae,
19. And not holding the Head, from which all the body by joints and bands having nourishment ministered, and knit together, increaseth with the increase of God.
19. Et non tenens caput, ex quo totum corpus per iuncturas et connexiones subministratum et compactum crescit increments Dei.
16. Let no one therefore judge you. What he had previously said of circumcision he now extends to the difference of meats and days. For circumcision was the first introduction to the observance of the law, other things 555 followed afterwards. To judge means here, to hold one to be guilty of a crime, or to impose a scruple of conscience, so that we are no longer free. He says, therefore, that it is not in the power of men to make us subject to the observance of rites which Christ has by his death abolished, and exempts us from their yoke, that we may not allow ourselves to be fettered by the laws which they have imposed. He tacitly, however, places Christ in contrast with all mankind, lest
550"En grande magnificence;" — "In great magnificence." 551"La croix;" — "The cross." 552"Tant eminent et honorable;" — "So lofty and honourable." 553"Juge, ou, condamne;" — "Judge, or condemn." 554"En partie, ou, en distinction, ou, de la part, ou, au respect;" — "In part, or, in distinguishing, or, of the part, or, in respect of."
555"Les autres ceremonies;" — "Other rites."