Commentary on Galatians Ephesians Philippians Colossians Thessalonians Timothy Titus and Philemon John Calvin (continued)
CHAPTER 1
23. For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better:
23. Coarctor enim ex duobus cupiens dissolvi et esse cum Christo: multo enim hoc melius.
24. Nevertheless to abide in the flesh is more needful for you. 24. Manere vero in carne, magis necessarium propter vos. 25. And having this confidence, I know that I shall abide and continue with you all for your furtherance and joy of faith;
25. Atque hoc confisus novi, quod manebo et permanebo cum omnibus vobis, in vestrum profectum et gaudium fidei,
26. That your rejoicing may be more abundant in Jesus Christ for me by my coming to you again.
26. Ut gloriatio vestra exsuperet in Christo Iesu de me, per meum rursus adventum ad vos.
22 But if to live in the flesh. As persons in despair feel in perplexity as to whether they ought to prolong their life any farther in miseries, or to terminate their troubles by death, so Paul, on the other hand, says that he is, in a spirit of contentment, so well prepared for death or for life, because the condition of believers, both in the one case and in the other, is blessed, so that he is at a loss which to choose. If it is worth while; that is, ``If I have reason to believe that there will be greater advantage from my life than from my death, I do not see which of them I ought to prefer.'' To live in the flesh, is an expression which he has made use of in contempt, from comparing it with a better life.
23 For I am in a strait Paul did not desire to live with any other object in view than that of promoting the glory of Christ, and doing good to the brethren. Hence he does not reckon that he has any other advantage from living than the welfare of the brethren. But so far as concerns himself personally, it were, he acknowledges, better for him to die soon, because he would be with Christ. By his choice, however, he shews what ardent love glowed in his breast. There is nothing said here as to earthly advantages, but as to spiritual benefit, which is on good grounds supremely desirable in the view of the pious. Paul, however, as if forgetful of himself, does not merely hold himself undetermined, lest he should be swayed by a regard to his own benefit rather than that of the Philippians, but at length concludes that a regard to them preponderates in his mind. And assuredly this is in reality to live and die to Christ, when, with indifference as to ourselves, we allow ourselves to be carried and borne away withersoever Christ calls us.
Having a desire to be set free and to be with Christ These two things must be read in connection. For death of itself will never be desired, because such a desire is at variance with natural feeling, but is desired for some particular reason, or with a view to some other end. Persons in despair have recourse to it from having become weary of life; believers, on the other hand, willingly to choose; or, But if to live in the flesh is profitable to me, and that it is what I ought to choose, I know not."