Commentary on Galatians Ephesians Philippians Colossians Thessalonians Timothy Titus and Philemon John Calvin
CHAPTER 4
6. That no man go beyond and defraud his brother in any matter: because that the Lord is the avenger of all such, as we also have forewarned you and testified.
6. Ne quis opprimat vel circumveniat in negotio fratrem suum: quia vindex erit Dominus omnium istorum, quemadmodum et praediximus vobis, et obtestati sumus.
7. For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness. 7. Non enim vocavit vos Deus ad immunditiam, sed ad sanctificationem. 8. He therefore that despiseth, despiseth not man, but God, who hath also given unto us his Holy Spirit.
8. Itaque qui hoc repudiat, non hominem repudiat, sed Deum, qui etiam dedit Spiritum suum sanctum in nos.
6 Let no man oppress. Here we have another exhortation, which flows, like a stream, from the doctrine of sanctification. ``God,'' says he, ``has it in view to sanctify us, that no man may do injury to his brother.'' For as to Chrysostom's connecting this statement with the preceding one, and explaining {ὑπερβαίνειν} {καὶ} {πλεονεκτεῖν} to mean --- neighing after the wives of others, (Jeremiah 5:8) and eagerly desiring them, is too forced an exposition. Paul, accordingly, having adduced one instance of unchastity in respect of lasciviousness and lust, teaches that this also is a department of holiness --- that we conduct ourselves righteously and harmlessly towards our neighbors. The former verb refers to violent oppressions --- where the man that has more power emboldens himself to inflict injury. The latter includes in it all immoderate and unrighteous desires. As, however, mankind, for the most part, indulge themselves in lust and avarice, he reminds them of what he had formerly taught --- that God would be the avenger of all such things. We must observe, however, what he says --- we have solemnly testified; 740 for such is the sluggishness of mankind, that, unless they are wounded to the quick, they are touched with no apprehension of God's judgment.
7 For God hath not called us. This appears to be the same sentiment with the preceding one --- that the will of God is our sanctification. There is, however, a little difference between them. For after having discoursed as to the correcting of the vices of the flesh, he proves, from the end of our calling, that God desires this. For he sets us apart to himself as his peculiar possession. 741 Again, that God calls us to holiness, he proves by contraries, because he rescues us, and calls us back, from unchastity. From this he concludes, that all that reject this doctrine reject not men, but God, the Author of this calling, which altogether falls to the ground so soon as this principle as to newness of life is overthrown. Now, the reason why he rouses himself so vehemently is, because there are always wanton persons who, while they fearlessly despise God, treat with ridicule all threatenings of his judgment, and at the same time
740"Nous vous auons testifié et comme adjuré;" — "We have testified to you, and, as it were, adjured."
741"Comme pour son propre heritage et particulier;" — "As for his peculiar and special inheritance."