A17647:39
A commentary of M. John Calvin upon the Epistle to the PhilippiansA commentarie of M. Iohn Caluine vppon the Epistle to the Philippians
A commentary of M. John Calvin upon the Epistle to the Philippians wherein is set out the necessity and profit of affliction unto the faithful, the benefit of God his word, the fruits, of unity and humility, free justification by faith in Jesus Christ without our own merits, the assurance, joy, and contented minds of the godly, and their perseverance in godliness unto the end. With many other comfortable and profitable points of religion. Translated out of Latin by W.B.A commentarie of M. Iohn Caluine vppon the Epistle to the Philippians wherein is set out the necessitie and profite of affliction vnto the faithfull, the benefite of God his word, the fruits, of vnitie and humilitie, free iustification by faith in Iesus Christ without our owne merites, the assurance, ioy, and contented mindes of the godlie, and their perseueraunce in godlinesse vnto the end. With many other comfortable and profitable pointes of religion. Translated out of Latine by W.B.
London: printed by John Windet for Nicolas Lyng, 1584
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
22 But if to live in the flesh were more profitable for me: even what to choose I know not: 23 For I am distressed between both, desiring to be loosed and to be with Christ which is far better. 34 But to abide in the flesh is more needful for you. 25 And this am I sure of, that I shall abide and continue with you all for your furtherance and joy of your faith. 26 That your rejoicing may be abundant in Christ Jesus for me, by my coming unto you again.
22 But if to liue in the flesh were more profitable for me: euen what to choose I knowe not: 23 For I am distressed betweene both, desiring to be loosed and to be with Christ which is farre better. 34 But to abide in the flesh is more needefull for you. 25 And this am I sure of, that I shall abide and continue with you all for your furtherance and ioy of your faith. 26 That your reioycing may be abundant in Christ Iesus for me, by my comming vnto you agayne.
22 But if to live. Even as desperate men are in a perplexity whether they should still prolong their life in misery, or finish their sorrows by death: so contrariwise, Paul with an equal mind saith, that he is prepared as well for death as for life, because the estate of both is blessed unto the faithful, so that he is doubtful whether to choose. If it be profitable, that is to say, if I know that the profit of my life is greater than the profit of my death, I see not whether I should rather desire. He putteth, To live in the flesh. by a contempt, in comparison of a better life. 23 For I am distressed. Paul did not desire to live for any other reward, then to serve to the glory of Christ, and to profit his brethren. Therefore he esteemeth no other profit in this life, than the salvation of his brethren: but for himself privately he acknowledgeth that it is better to dye quickly, because he should be with Christ. In his desire he showeth with how great love he is inflamed. He doth not speak here of earthly commodities, but of the spiritual good, which especially of the godly is carefully to be wished for. Notwithstanding Paul, as it were forgetting himself, doth not only contain himself in the middest, least he should more decline to his own benefit, than the benefit of the Philippians: but at length concludeth, that he weigheth their estate in his heart. And this is truly to live and dye unto Christ, when neglecting our selves, we are carried whether Christ calleth us. Desiring to be loosed and to be with Christ. These two things are jointly to