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…

10 My prison fellow. Hereby appeareth, that other came unto Paul, after he was brought to Rome. And it is credible that his enemies at the first earnestly laboured, to fear away by punishing them as they did him, all the godly from helping him, and that this prevailed for a time: but afterward some, taking heart unto them, not to have regarded whatsoever terror was laid before them. That you receive him. Some books have, Receive him, in the imperative mood: but wrong for he expresseth that kind of commandment which the Colossians had received: namely that it was the commendation of either Barnabas or Mark: which latter is more probable. In the greek it is the infinitive mood, but yet it must be so resolved as I have done it. And let us mark that they were diligent in giving testimony: that they might discern good men from false brethren, from drones, from deceivers, and many that were stragglers and wanderers about. Which diligence and care is at these days more than necessary: ether for because virtuous teachers have cold entertainment: or else for that foolish persons and such as are light of belief or over liberal bent and endangered to deceivers.

10 My prison fellow. Hereby appeareth, that other came vnto Paule, after he was brought to Rome. And it is credible that his enemies at the first earnestly laboured, to feare awaye by punishing them as they did him, all the godly from helping him, and that this preuayled for a time: but afterward some, taking harte vnto them, not to haue regarded whatsoeuer terrour was layde b•fore them. That you receaue him. Some bookes haue, Receaue him, in the imperatiue moode: but wrong for he expresseth that kinde of commaundement which the Colossians had receaued: namely that it was the commendacion of eyther Barnabas or Marke: which latter is more probable. In the greeke it is the infinitiue moode, but yet it must be so resolued as I haue done it. And let vs marke that they were diligent in giuing testimonye: that they mighte discerne good men from false brethren, from dranes, from deceiuers, and many that were straggelers and wanderers about. Which diligence and care is at these dayes more than necessarie: ether for because vertuous teachers haue cold entertainment: or else for that folishe persons and such as are light of beleefe or ouer liberall bent and endaungered to deceiuers.