Commentary on Galatians Ephesians Philippians Colossians Thessalonians Timothy Titus and Philemon John Calvin (continued)
John Calvin
7. Even as it is meet for me to think this of you all, because I have you in my heart; inasmuch as both in my bonds, and in the defence and confirmation of the gospel, ye all are partakers of my grace.
7. Sicuti iustum est mihi hoc de vobis omnibus sentire, propterea quod in corde vos habeam, esse omnes participes gratiæ meæ, et in vinculis meis, et in defensione, et confirmatione Evangelii.
8. For God is my record, how greatly I long after you all in the bowels of Jesus Christ.
8. Testis enim mihi est Deus, ut desiderem vos omnes in visceribus 212 Iesu Christi.
9. And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment;
9. Et hoc precor, ut caritas vestra adhue magis ac magis abundet cum agnitione, omnique intelligentia:
10. That ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere, and without offence till the day of Christ;
10. Ut probetis quæ utilia sunt, qno sitis sinceri, et inoffensi usque in diem Christi.
11. Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God.
11. Impleti fructibus iustitiae, qui sunt per Iesum Christum, in gloriam et laudem Dei.
7 As it is reasonable. For we are envious 213 valuators of the gifts of God if we do not reckon as children of God those in whom there shine forth those true tokens of piety, which are the marks by which the Spirit of adoption manifests himself. Paul accordingly says, that equity itself dictates to him, 214 that he should hope well of the Philippians in all time to come, inasmuch as he sees them to be associated with himself in participation of grace. It is not without due consideration that I have given a different rendering of this passage from that of Erasmus, as the judicious reader will easily perceive. For he states what opinion he has of the Philippians, which was the ground of his hoping well respecting them. He says, then, that they are partakers with him of the same grace in his bonds, and in the defense of the gospel.
To have them in his heart is to reckon them as such in the inmost affection of his heart. For the Philippians had always assisted Paul according to their ability, so as to connect themselves with him as associates for maintaining the cause of the gospel, so far as was in their power. Thus, although they were absent in body, yet, on account of the pious disposition which they shewed by every service in their power, he recognises them as in bonds along with him. ``I have you, therefore, in my heart;'' this is, sincerely and without any pretense, assuredly, and with no slight or doubtful opinion --- as what? as partakers of 212"Aux entrailles de Jesus Christ, ou, Es cordiale affection de Jesus Christ;" — "In the bowels of Jesus Christ, or, In the cordial affection of Jesus Christ."
213"Maigres et desdaigneux;" — "Miserable and disdainful." 214"Raison mesme et equite luy disent;" — "Even reason and equity tell him."