Commentary on Galatians Ephesians Philippians Colossians Thessalonians Timothy Titus and Philemon John Calvin (continued)
John Calvin all its parts their faith, which was as yet imperfect. Yet this is the faith which he had previously extolled marvelously. But from this we infer, that those who far surpass others are still far distant from the goal. Hence, whatever progress we may have made, let us always keep in view our deficiencies, ({ὑστερήματα},) 730 that we may not be reluctant to aim at something farther. From this also it appears how necessary it is for us to give careful attention to doctrine, for teachers 731 were not appointed merely with the view of leading men, in the course of a single day or month, to the faith of Christ, but for the purpose of perfecting the faith which has been begun. But as to Paul's claiming for himself what he elsewhere declares belongs peculiarly to the Holy Spirit, (1 Corinthians 14:14) this must be restricted to the ministry. Now, as the ministry of a man is inferior to the efficacy of the Spirit, and to use the common expression, is subordinate to it, nothing is detracted from it. When he says that he prayed night and day beyond all ordinary measure, 732 we may gather from these words how assiduous he was in praying to God, and with what ardor and earnestness he discharged that duty.
1 Thessalonians 3:11-13
1 Thessalonians 3:11-13 11. Now God himself and our Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ, direct our way unto you.
11. Ipse autem Deus et Pater noster, et Dominus noster Iesus Christus viam nostram ad vos dirigat.
12. And the Lord make you to increase and abound in love one toward another, and toward all men, even as we do toward you:
12. Vos autem Dominus impleat et abundare faciat caritate mutua inter vos et erga omnes: quemadmodum et nos ipsi affecti sumus erga vos:
13. To the end he may stablish your hearts unblameable in holiness before God, even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all his saints.
13. Ut confirmet corda vestra irreprehensibilia, in sanctitate coram Deo et Patre nostro, in adventu Domini nostri Iesu Christi, cum omnibus sanctis eius.
11 Now God himself. He now prays that the Lord, having removed Satan's obstructions, may open a door for himself, and be, as it were, the leader and director of his way to the Thessalonians. By this he intimates, that we cannot move a step with success, 733 otherwise than under God's guidance, but that when he holds out his hand, it is to no purpose that Satan employs every effort
730"{Τστερήματα} {πίστεως}. ---Afterings of faith, as it may be significantly enough rendered, let but the novelty of the expression be pardoned.'' ---Howe's Works, (London, 1822,) volume 3 page 70.---Ed
731"Les Docteurs et ceux qui ont charge d'enseigner en l'Eglise;" — "Teachers and those that have the task of instructing in the Church."
732"Night and day praying exceedingly—Supplicating God at all times; mingling this with all my prayers; {ὑπὲρ} {ἐχπερισσοῦ} {δεόμενοι}, abounding and superabounding in my entreaties to God, to permit me to revisit you.'' ---Dr. A. Clarke.---Ed
733"Nous ne pouuons d'vn costé ne d'autre faire vn pas qui proufite et viene a bien;" — "We cannot on one side or another take a step that may be profitable or prosperous."