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…

27 Unto whom God would. Here he bridleth the boldness of men, that they suffer not themselves to be more wise or else to search after more than they ought: but that they learn to be content with this one thing, viZ. so it pleased God. For the will of GOD ought to be enough, and enough unto us a cause sufficient. yet this is principally spoken to commend the grace of God: because Paul meaneth, that men in no wise did minister cause unto God that they should be partakers of this secrete, while he teacheth that of his own accord he was moved hereunto, and because he would. For it is a common thing in Paul, to set the good pleasure of God opposite and against all the merits and outward causes of men. What the riches are. We must always mark how highly he speaketh about extolling the dignity of the Gospel. for he knew the unthankfulness of men to be such, that they would for all this securely contemn, or at the least set little by, this inestimable treasure and far passing grace of God. And therefore not being content with the word Mystery, he addeth glory, and the same not small or common. for what was more wonderful, than that the Gentiles, who so many years were drowned in death, that they might seem almost past hope, suddenly should be reckoned among the children of God, and receive the inheritance of salvation? Which is Christ in you, That which in generality he had said of the Gentiles, he now applieth even to the Colossians, that they may in themselves acknowledge more effectually, and embrace with the great reverence the grace of God. He saith than, Which is Christ; whereby he meaneth that all that secrete is contained in Christ: and that all the riches of the heavenly wisdom are obtained when we have Christ: as more plainly he will a while after affirm. He addeth, In you: because now they possess Christ, from whom a late they were so estranged as nothing could be more. Lastly he calleth Christ the hope of glory: that they may know that they want nothing to full and perfect blessedness after that they have obtained Christ. And this a wonderful work of GOD, that in earthen and frail vessels, should abide the hope of heavenly glory.

27 Vnto whom God would. Here he brideleth the boldnesse of men, that they suffer not themselues to be more wise or else to searche after more than they ought: but that they learn to be content with this one thing, viZ. so it pleased God. For the will of GOD ought to be ynough, and ynough vnto vs a cause suffici•nt. yet this is principally spoken to commende the grace of God: because Paule meaneth, that men in no wise did minister cause vnto God that they should be partakers of this secrete, while he teacheth that of his own accord he was moued herevnto, and because he would. For it is a common thing in Paule, to sette the good pleasure of God opposite and agaynste all the merites and outwarde causes of men. What the riches are. Wee must alwayes marke how highly he speaketh aboute extolling the dignitie of the Gospell. for he knewe the vnthankfulnesse of men to be such, that they would for all this securelye contemne, or at the least set little by, this inestimable treasure and farre passing grace of God. And therefore not being content with the worde Mystery, he addeth glory, and the same not small or common. for what was more wonderfull, than that the Gentils, who so many yeres were drowned in death, that they might seeme almost past hope, sodaynlye shoulde be reckoned among the children of God, and receaue the inheritaunce of saluation? Whch is Christ in you, That whiche in generalitie hee had sayde of the Gentils, hee now applieth euen to the Colossians, that they may in themselues acknowledge more effectuouslye, and embrace with the greate reuerence the grace of God. He sayth than, Which is Christ; whereby he meaneth that all that secrete is contayned in Christe: and that all the riches of the heauenly wisedome are obtayned when wee haue Christe: as more playnly he will a while after affirme. He addeth, In you: because now they possesse Christ, from whome a late they were so estraunged as nothing could be more. Lastly hee calleth Christ the hope of glory: that they may know that they wante nothing to full and perfect blessednesse after that they haue obtayned Christ. And this a wonderfull worke of GOD, that in earthen and frayle vessels, shoulde abide the hope of heauenl glory.