Commentary on Galatians Ephesians Philippians Colossians Thessalonians Timothy Titus and Philemon John Calvin
John Calvin so many Churches, gained over to Christ through his instrumentality, so there can be no question that such trophies 306 will have a place in Christ's kingdom, as we will find him saying a little afterwards, You are my crown. (Philippians 4:1.) Nor can it be doubted, that the greater the exploits, the triumph will be the more splendid. 307
Should any one inquire how it is that Paul now glories in his labors, while he elsewhere forbids us to glory in any but in the Lord, (1 Corinthians 1:31; 2 Corinthians 10:17,) the answer is easy --- that, when we have prostrated ourselves, and all that we have before God, and have placed in Christ all our ground of glorying, it is, at the same time, allowable for us to glory through Christ in God's benefits, as we have seen in the First Epistle to the Corinthians. 308 The expression, at the day of the Lord, is intended to stimulate the Philippians to perseverance, while the tribunal of Christ is set before their view, from which the reward of faith is to be expected.
Philippians 2:17-24
Philippians 2:17-24
17. Yea, and if I be offered upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I joy, and rejoice with you all.
17. Quin etiam si immoler super hostia et sacrificio fidei vestrae, gaudeo et congaudeo vobis omnibus.
18. For the same cause also do ye joy, and rejoice with me. 18. De hoc ipso gaudete, et congaudete mihi. 19. But I trust in the Lord Jesus to send Timotheus shortly unto you, that I also may be of good comfort, when I know your state.
19. Spero autem in Domino, Timotheum brevi me ad vos missurum, ut ego tranquillo sim animo, postquam statum vestrum cognoverim.
20. For I have no man likeminded, who will naturally care for your state. 20. Neminem enim habeo pari animo praeditum, qui germane res vestras curaturus sit.
21. For all seek their own, not the things which are Jesus Christ's. 21. Omnes enim quae sua sunt quaerunt: non quae sunt Christi Iesu. 22. But ye know the proof of him, that, as a son with the father, he hath served with me in the gospel.
22. Porro experimentum eius tenetis, quod tanquam cum patre filius, ita mecum servivit in Euangelium.
23. Him therefore I hope to send presently, so soon as I shall see how it will go with me.
306"Telles conquestes et marques de triomphe;" — "Such conquests and tokens of triumph." The term tropaea made use of by our Author, (corresponding to the Greek term {πρόπαια},) properly signifies, monuments of the enemy's defeat, ({προπή}.) --- Ed.
307"Tant plus qu'il y aura de faits cheualeureux, que le triomphe aussi n'en soit d'autant plus magnifique et honorable;" — "The more there are of illustrious deeds, the triumph also will be so much the more magnificent and honorable."
308See Calvin on the Corinthians, vol. 1, pp. 94, 95.