A commentary of M. John Calvin upon the Epistle to the PhilippiansA commentarie of M. Iohn Caluine vppon the Epistle to the Philippians

Cap. 1.

Paul, &c. Seeing that it was Paul his custom to write his title, to procure more credit unto him self and his ministry: he needed no farther words of commendation unto the Philippians, who had tried him to be the true Apostle of Christ, and did yet acknowledge it without controversy: for constantly and in an even course they had gone forward in the calling of God. Bishops. He nameth the Pastors severally for honours sake. Moreover, hereof we may gather, that the name of a Bishop is common to all the ministers of the word, since that he doth attribute mo Bishops unto one Church. A Bishop and a Pastor therefore signify one thing. And this place among the rest is one, which Hierom doth cite to prove the same thing, in his epistle to Evagrius, and in his exposition upon the epistle to Titus. Afterward it grew to a custom, that whom the Elders ⟨p. 4⟩in their several Churches had set over their congregation, he alone should be called a Bishop, notwithstanding that proceeded from the custom of men, and dependeth not upon the authority of the Scripture. Yet I confess, as the wits and manners of men are now, there can no order stand among the ministers of the word, except one be set over the rest. I speak of the several bodies of the Church, not of whole provinces, much less of the whole world: notwithstanding although we must not contend about words, yet it were far better, in speaking to follow the Holy Ghost, being the Author of tongues, than to change the forms of speaking set down by him, for worse. For of the corrupt signification of the word, this evil have ensued: that, as though all Elders were not fellows called to the same office, one under the colour of this new name, have challenged unto him self a dominion over the rest. Deacons. This name may be taken two manner of ways, either for the collectors and providers for the poor, or for the Elders that were appointed Censors of their manners: but because it is more used by Paul in the former sense, I rather understand householders, who were chief in receiving and distributing of the alms.

PAule, &c. Séeing that it was Paule his custome to write his title, to procure more credite vnto him selfe and his ministerie: he néeded no farther words of commendation vnto the Philippians, who had tried him to be the true Apostle of Christ, and did yet acknowledge it without controuersie: for constantly and in an euen course they had gone forward in the calling of God. Bishops. He nameth the Pastors seuerally for honors sake. Moreouer, hereof we may gather, that the name of a Bishop is common to all the ministers of the word, since that he doth attribute mo Bishops vnto one Church. A Bishop and a Pastor therefore signifie one thing. And this place among the rest is one, which Hierom doth cite to proue the same thing, in his epistle to Euagrius, and in his exposition vpon the epistle to Titus. Afterward it grewe to a custome, that whome the Elders