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…

25 Whereof I am made a Minister. Lo, in what respect he suffereth for the Church: namely because he is a minister, not to give the price of redemption (as Augustine skilfully and godlily doth speak it) but to preach. Furthermore otherwise doth he now call himself a Minister of the Church, than he doeth 1. Cor 2.4. call himself the Minister of God, and a little before [the minister] of the Gospel. For the Apostles serve God and Christ to promote the glory of them both: they serve the Church for the salvation thereof, and minister the Gospel it self. The reason of the Ministry therefore is diverse in those kinds of speakings: but the one of them cannot stand without the other. And he saith, toward you; that they may know that the charge thereof belongeth also unto him. To fulfil the word. He joineth the end or final cause of his ministry: that the word of God might be effectuous, which is done while it is obediently received. For this is the strength of the Gospel: that it may be the power of God into salvation to every one that believeth, Rom. 1.16. God therefore by his Apostles giveth unto his word force and effect. For although the preaching it self, whatsoever the happ• be, is the fulfilling of the word: yet the fruit at last doeth show, that the seed was not caste abroad in vain.

25 Whereof I am made a Minister. Loe, in what respect hee suffereth for the Church: namely because he is a minister, not to giue the price of redemption (as Augustine skilfully and godlily doth speake it) but to preache. Furthermore otherwise doth he now call himselfe a Minister of the Church, than he doeth 1. Cor 2.4. call himselfe the Minister of God, and a little before [the minister] of the Gospell. For the Apostles serue God and Christ to promote the glory of them both: they serue the Church for the saluation thereof, and minister the Gospell it selfe. The reason of the Ministerie therefore is diuerse in those kindes of speakings: but the one of them cannot stand without the other. And he sayth, toward you; that they may know that the charge thereof belongeth also vnto him. To fulfill the word. Hee ioyneth the ende or finall cause of his ministerie: that the word of God might be effectuous, which is done while it is obedientlye receaued. For this is the strength of the Gospell: that it may be the power of God into saluation to euerye one that beleeueth,