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…

3 In whom are, or, In which are, The piece in quo (which may be englished in whom or else in which) either hath relation unto all that which is comprehended, touching the knowledge of the mystery; or else to that only which went next before, that is, Christ. Although there is small difference between the one and the other, yet the latter liketh me better, and is more allowed and used. The sense is than, that in Christ lie hidden all the Treasures of Wisdom and knowledge. whereby he declareth that we are perfectly wise, if we know Christ truly: in so much that it is madness, to wish to know any thing saving him. For seeing that the Father hath made manifest himself wholly in him: he meaneth to be wise without God, which is not content with Christ alone. If it like you to expound it of the Mystery, the meaning shall be, that all the wisdom of the Godly shall be included in the Gospel, whereby God is revealed unto us in his Sonne. And he saith that the treasures are hidden, because they appear not out to be seen in great glittering and gallant show, but they lye as it were hidden rather under the humility and baseness of the cross, and under simplicity which is contemptible. For the preaching of the cross (as we have it to the Corinthians) is always foolishness unto the world. Between Wisdom and Understanding in this place I put no great difference, because doubling of a thing so much availeth to augment the matter, as if he should have said there can be found else where no jot of knowledge, instruction, learning, or wisdom.

3 In whom are, or, In which are, The peece in quo (which may be englished in whome or else in which) either hath relation vnto all that which is comprehended, touching the knowledge of the mysterie; or else to that only which went next before, that is, Christ. Although there is small difference betweene the one and the other, yet the latter liketh me better, and is more allowed and vsed. The sence is than, that in Christe lie hidden all the Treasures of Wisedome and knowledge. whereby he declareth that we are perfectly wise, if we know Christ truely: in so muche that it is madnesse, to wishe to knowe any thing sauing him. For seeing that the Father hath made manifest himselfe wholy in him: he meaneth to be wise without God, which is not content with Christ alone. If it like you to expounde it of the Mysterie, the meaning shalbe, that all the wisedome of the Godly shall be included in the Gospel, whereby God is reuealed vnto vs in his Sonne. And he saith that the treasures are hidden, because they appeare not out to be seene in great glittering and gallant shewe, but they lye as it were hidden rather vnder the humilitie and basenesse of the crosse, and vnder simplicity which is contemptible. For the preaching of the crosse (as we haue it to the Corinthians) is alwayes foolishnesse vnto the world. Betweene Wisedome and Vnderstanding in this place I put no great difference, because doubling of a thing so muche auayleth to augment the matter, as if he should haue sayde there can bee founde else where no iote of knowledge, instruction, learning, or wisedome.