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 That you walk worthily in God. First he teacheth what the end of spiritual understanding is, and to what purpose we must profit in the school of God: namely that we live worthy of God, that is, that it may appear in our life, that we have not in vain been taught of God. Whosoever they be that level not their studies to this mark, it may be that they labour and take great pains, but they do nothing but wander by by ways, and lose their labour. Moreover he admonisheth, that this principally is to be done of us, if we will walk worthy of God, that we direct the whole course of our life after the will of God, renouncing our own sense and wit, and bidding all the affections of our own flesh farewell. Which also again he confirmeth when he addeth (these words) into all obedience, or (as commonly they say) through pleasing. Therefore if it be demanded what life it is that is worthy of GOD: this definition of Paul must always be holden, namely that that is it which leaving the rules & ordinances of men, finally leaving the wit & disposition of the whole flesh, is ordered after the obedience of God alone, From hence ensue good works: which fruits God requireth of us ⟨p. 8⟩Increasing in the knowledge of God:) He doth again repeat, that they are not so far come on, but that they have need of new encreasements, with which admonition he prepareth them, & as it were leadeth them by the hand to the desire of going forward: whereby they may show themselves ready to hear and apt to be taught. And that which is here spoken unto the Colossians, let all the faithful take it as spoken unto them: and hereof let them collect this common exhortation, We must always increase in the doctrine of Godliness, even till our dying day.

10 That you walke worthily in God. First he teacheth what the end of spirituall vnderstanding is, and to what purpose wee must profite in the schoole of God: namely that we liue worthy of God, that is, that it may appeare in our life, yt we haue not in vayne bene taught of God. Whosoeuer they bee that leuell not their studies to this marke, it may be that they labour and take great paynes, but they doe nothing but wander by by wayes, and lose their labour. Moreouer he admonisheth, that this principallye is to be done of vs, if we will walk worthy of God, that we direct the whole course of our life after the will of God, renouncing our owne sence and witte, and bidding all the affections of our owne flesh farewell. Which also agayne hee confirmeth when he addeth (these wordes) into all obedience, or (as commonly they say) thorow pleasing. Therfore if it be demanded what life it is that is worthy of GOD: this diffinition of Paul must alwaies be holden, namely that yt is it which leauing the rules & ordinances of men, finally leauing the wit & disposition of the whole flesh, is ordred after ye obedience of God alone, Frō hence ensue good works: which fruits God requireth of vs