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…

13 And ye when ye were dead. That which in general wise he hath discoursed, he admonished the Colossians, to consider in themselves: which is a very effectual manner of teaching. Furthermore seeing they were Gentiles when they were converted unto Christ, he thereby warneth them how strange a thing it were to skip over from Christ to the ceremonies of Moses. Ye were, saith he, dead in uncircumcision. This word may be taken ether in a proper signification or else metaphorically. if you take it properly, the sense shall be, Uncircumcision is a symbol or badge of estrangement from God, for where the covenant of grace is not, there is uncleanness, and thereof cometh the curse and damnation. But God hath called you from uncircumcision to himself: and therefore from death. So should he make uncircumcision not the cause of death: but a testimony and witness that they were strangers from God. And we know that men live not any otherwise, than while they cleave to their God, who alone is their life. Whereof it followeth that all the ungodly, while they seem in their own conceits to be very lively and fresh yet are they spiritually dead. By this means this place would agree with the second chapter to the Ephesians verse 11. where it is said, You must remember that in time past when you were Gentiles, and called uncircumcision of that Circumcision which is made with hand in the flesh, at that time you were without Christ, separated from the government of Israel, and strangers from the promises. But Metaphorically it should be an allusion to natural uncircumcision: but yet Paul should speak here of the stubbornness of mans hart against God, and of nature distained with naughty affections or motions. I rather hold the former exposition, because it agreeth better with the text. For Paul maketh mention that uncircumcision was no let but that they should be partakers of the life of Christ. Whereof it followeth, that Circumcision derogateth or taketh from the grace of God, that which already they had obtained. In that he ascribeth death unto uncircumcision, he doth it not as unto the cause, but as to the badge or mark [thereof]. as he doth in that other place to the Ephesians, which I have alleged. And it is often used in the Scripture, by privation of the sign, to note the privation of the thing, as Ge. 3.22.

13 And ye when ye were dedde. That whiche in generall wise he hath discoursed, he admonished the Colossians, to cōsider in themselues: which is a very effectuall maner of teaching. Fardermore seing they were Gentils when they were conuerted vnto Christ, he therby warneth them how strang a thing it were to skippe ouer from Christ to the ceremonies of Moses. Ye were, sayth he, dead in vncircumcision. This word may be taken ether in a proper signification or else metaphorically. if you take it properly, the sence shall be, Vncircumcision is a symboll or badge of estrangement from God, for where the couenaunt of grace is not, there is vncleannesse, and thereof commeth the curse and damnation. But God hath called you from vncircumcision to himselfe: and therfore from death. So should he make vncircumcision not the cause of death: but a testimony and witnesse that they were straungers from God. And wee know that men liue not any otherwise, than while they cleaue to their God, who alone is their life. Whereof it followeth that all the vngodlye, while they seeme in their owne conceits to be very liuely and fresh yet are they spiritually deade. By this meanes this place would agree with the seconde chapter to the Ephesians verse 11. where it is sayd, You must remember that in time past when you were Gentils, and called vncircumcision of that Circumcision which is made with hande in the flesh, at that time you were without Christ, seperated from the gouernment of Israell, and straungers from the promises. But Metaphorically it should be an allusion to naturall vncircumcision: but yet Paule should speake here of the stubbornnesse of mans hart agaynst God, and of nature distained with naughty affections or motions. I rather hold the former exposition, because it agreeth better with the texte. For Paule maketh mention that vncircumcision was no let but that they should be partakers of the lyfe of Christ. Whereof it followeth, that Circumcision derogateth or taketh from the grace of God, that which alreadye they had obtayned. In that he ascribeth death vnto vncircumcision, he doth it not as vnto the cause, but as to ye badge or marke [thereof]. as he doth in that other place to the Epesians, which I haue alleaged. And it is often vsed in the Scripture, by priuation of the signe, to note the priuation of ye thing, as Ge. 3.22.