CHAPTER 4
Colossians 4:1-4 | |
1. Masters, give unto your servants that which is just and equal; knowing that ye also have a Master in heaven. | 1. Domini, quod iustum est, servis exhibete, mutuamque aequabilitatem, scientes quod vos quoque Dominum habeatis in coelis. |
2. Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving; | 2. Orationi instate, vigilantes in ea, cum gratiarum actione. |
3. Withal praying also for us, that God would open unto us a door of utterance, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds; | 3. Orate simul et pro nobis, ut Deus aperiat nobis ianuam sermonis ad loquendum mysterium Christi, cuius etiam causa vinctus sum. |
4. That I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak. | 4. Ut manifestem illud, quemad-modum oportet me loqui. |
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He adds,
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As we have a signal example of modesty, in the circumstance that Paul calls others to his assistance, so we are also admonished, that it is a thing that is replete with the greatest difficulty, to persevere steadfastly in the defense of the gospel, and especially when danger presses. For it is not without cause that he desires that the Churches may assist him in this matter. Consider, too, at the same time, his amazing ardor of zeal. He is not solicitous as to his own safety; 9 he does not ask that prayers may be poured forth by the Churches on his behalf, that he may be delivered from danger of death. He is contented with this one thing, that he may, unconquered and undaunted, persevere in a confession of the gospel; nay more, he fearlessly makes his own life a secondary matter, as compared with the glory of Christ and the spread of the gospel.
By a
It is not ye that speak, but the Spirit
of your Father that speaketh in you. (Matt 10:20.)
Having, therefore, set forward the difficulty, he stirs up the Colossians the more to prayer, by declaring that he cannot speak right, except in so far as his tongue is directed by the Lord. Secondly, he argues from the dignity 10 of the matter, when he calls the gospel the
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1 "Et rabbaisse leur presomption;" -- "And beats down their presumption."
2 Our author, has here in view a definition of Aristotle, quoted by him when commenting on 2 Corinthians 8:13. See Calvin on the Corinthians, vol. 2:p. 294. -- Ed.
3 "C'est a dire, qui est reglé et compassé selon la circonstance, qualité, ou vocation des personnes;" -- "That is to say, which is regulated and proportioned according to the circumstances, station, or calling of individuals."
4 "Comme aux Ephesiens il a vsé de ce mot, Le mesme, ou Le semblable, en ceste signification, comme il a este là touché;" -- "As in the Ephesians he has made use of this word, the same, or the like, in this sense, as he has there noticed."
5 "Comme il y a vn droict mutuel, reglé selon la consideration de l'office et vocation d'vn chacun, lequel droict doit auoir lieu entre tous estats;" -- "As there is a mutual right, regulated according to a consideration of the office and calling of each individual, which right ought to have a place among all ranks."
6 "Ou façon d'y proceder laschement, et comme par acquit;" -- "Or a way of acting in it listlessly, and as a mere form."
7 "Plus que puerile;" -- "Worse than childish."
8 "Qu'il nous faut implorer l'aide des saincts trespassez;" -- "That we must implore the aid of departed saints."
9 "Il ne se soucie point d'estre sauué des mains de ses ennemis;" -- "He does not feel anxiety to be saved from the hands of his enemies."
10 "La dignite et l'excellence;" -- "The dignity and excellence."