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…

24 Now rejoice.) Before he challenged authority unto himself ⟨p. 25⟩by means of his calling: but now he useth prevention, lest the bands and persecutions which he sustained for the Gospel, should minish any thing of the honour of his Apostleship. for Satan even abuseth these occasions also, to make the servants of God less set by. Beside that he emboldeneth them by his example, that they should not be feared with persecutions: and he commendeth and setteth out his zeal, that he may be of the more authority. Moreover he doth with no base token make known his love toward them, whiles he affirmeth that he willingly abideth for their sakes the afflictions which he suffereth. But some man will say, whereof ariseth this joy? Forsooth because he did see fruit coming thereof. as if he should say, The affliction for you is pleasant unto me: because I suffer it not in vain. As in the first Epistle to the Thessalonians, 3.6.7 he saith he rejoiceth in all necessity and affliction, for their faith which he heard of, I fulfil those things that are wanting: I take the copulative to be put for the causal. for he yieldeth a reason, why he is joyous while he suffereth: viz. because he is a partner therein with Christ, and nothing can be wished more blessed then this partnership. And he setteth down a common consolation to all the godly, that in all sorrows and troubles, and specially if they abide any grief for the Gospel, they are partakers of the cross of Christ, that they may enjoy the fellowship of the blessed resurrection. Moreover he doth affirm that so are fulfilled the things that are wanting in the afflictions of Christ. for as he speaketh Ro. 8.29. whom God hath elected, those also hath he predestinated, that they might be made like fashioned to that Image of Christ: to th'end he might be the first begotten among the brethren. Beside that we know that the unity of the head and members is so great, that the name, of Christ, doeth somewhile comprehend the whole body. As in the first Epistle to the Corinthians. cap. 12. verse. 12. for whereas he in that place had speech concerning the Church, in the end he concludeth that the matter is in Christ as it is in a mans body. As therefore Christ hath once suffered in his own person, so doeth he daily suffer in his members:

24 Now reioyce.) Before hee challenged authority vnto himselfe ⟨p. 25⟩