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…

19 Because it pleased him.) To the end it may be the more firm which he hath preached touching Christ, now also he addeth, that it was so established by the providence of GOD. And certainly if we will reverently adore this mystery, necessary it is, that we should be called back to that Well-spring. This, saith he, is wrought by the counsel of GOD that all fullness should dwell in him. And he understandeth fullness of righteousness, wisdom, strength or power, & of all goodness For whatsoever God hath, that hath he bestowed upon his Son, that he might be glorified in him: as it is written John 5.20. And withal he admonisheth, that whatsoever goodness we require toward our salvation, it must be drawn out of the fullness of Christ: because God hath thus determined, that he will no otherwise communicate or impart himself and his gifts unto men, but by his Sonne. It is than as much as if he should say, Christ is to us all things, and with out him we have nothing. Whereof it followeth, whosoever derogate ought from Christ or minisheth his power, or rob him of his offices, or to be short pilfer away a drop of his fullness, they do as ⟨p. 17⟩much as in them lieth, shake and hurtle down the eternal counsel of God.

19 Because it pleased him.) To the end it may be the more firme which he hath preached touching Christ, nowe also he addeth, that it was so established by the prouidence of GOD. And certaynly if we will reuerently adore this misterye, necessarye it is, that wee shoulde bee called backe to that Well-spring. This, sayth hee, is wroughte by the counsayle of GOD that all fulnesse should dwell in him. And hee vnderstandeth fulnesse of righteousnesse, wisdome, strength or power, & of al goodnesse For whatsoeuer God hath, yt hath he bestowed vppon his Sonne, that hee mighte be glorified in him: as it is written Iohn 5.20. And withall he admonisheth, that whatsoeuer goodnesse we require toward our saluatiō, it must be drawn out of the fulnesse of Christ: because God hath thus determined, that he will no otherwise communicate or imparte himselfe and his giftes vnto men, but by his Sonne. It is than as much as if he should saye, Christ is to vs all thinges, and with out him wee haue nothing. Wherof it followeth, whosoeuer derogate ought from Christ or minisheth his power, or robbe him of his offices, or to be shorte pilfer awaye a droppe of his fulnesse, they doe as