A commentary of M. John Calvin, upon the Epistle to the Colossians. And translated…A commentarie of M. Iohn Caluine, vpon the Epistle to the Colossians. And translated…

14 For all those things sake, put on charity, which is the bond of perfection. 15 And the peace of God obtain the victory in your harts to the which you are called also in one body, and be you thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ dwell with you abundantly in all wisdom, in teaching and warning your selves in Psalms, Hymns, and spiritual Songs with grace, singing in your harts to the Lord. 17 And whatsoever you shall do in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.

14 For all those thinges sake, put on charitie, which is the bond of perfection. 15 And the peace of God obtain the victory in your harts to the which you are called also in one body, and be you thankefull. 16 Let the word of Christ dwell with you aboundantly in all wisedome, in teaching and warning your selues in Psalmes, Hymnes, and spiritual Songs with grace, singing in your harts to the Lord. 17 And whatsoeuer you shall doe in worde or deede, do it all in the name of the Lord Iesus, giuing thankes to God and the Father by him.

14 For all those things. Whereas some have translated it, Beside all those things, in my judgment it is coldly done. It would better accord to do it thus, Before all these things. But I have rather chosen the used signification of the word [Greek or Hebrew]. For seeing that all those things which he hath reckoned up hitherto, do spring out of charity: he doeth rightly now exhort the Colossians, that they maintain Charity among themselves, for those things sake: that is to say that they may be merciful, kind, and easy to forgive. as if he should say, that then they should be such if they have charity. For where as charity is missing, in vain are all those things required. And to the end he may the more set it out, he calleth it, The bond of perfection: whereby he signifieth that the whole company of all virtues are comprehended under it. For this is the very rule of the whole life and of the whole deeds, after which whatsoever is not ruled out, it is ⟨p. 71⟩faulty and naught, whatsoever fair show otherwise it hath. That is the cause why in this place it is called the band of perfection, because nothing in our life is well framed that is not directed unto it: but whatsoever we take in hand it is a mere scattering. But the Papists are to be laughed at, who abuse this testimony to build up justification by works. Charity, say they, is the bond of perfection, but perfection is righteousness; therefore by charity we are justified. It is answered two ways. for Paul reasoneth not here how men are made perfect before GOD: but how they may live perfectly among themselves. For this is the natural and true exposition of the place, viz. that the other things shall fall out well concerning our life, if charity flourish and grow amongest us. But if it be granted that charity is righteousness, in vain and childishly do they out of that contend, that we are justified by charity for where shall perfect charity be found? And we do not therefore say that men are justified by faith only, because to observe the Law is not righteousness: but rather, that whereas we are all transgressors of the Law and without righteousness of our own, we are are compelled to borrow righteousness of Christ. Therefore the only righteousness by faith remaineth, because charity is in no wise perfect.