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…

18 Lest any take from you.) He alludeth to rumours of wrestlers, unto whom the victory is on this condition appointed, if they faint not in the middest of their course, or after they have begun to wrestle. He putteth them in mind than that the false Apostles go about nothing else but to take from them the victory: because they lead them away from the rightness of their course. whereof it followeth that they are to be shunned no otherwise than most contagious plagues. ⟨p. 52⟩And the place is diligently to be marked: that all they who lead us away from the simplicity of Christ, do craftily bereave us of the reward of supernall calling. Meaning in humility. Something must be understood, and therefore in the Text I have put in To do it. For he showeth a kind of danger, that they ought to take heed of, as if he should say, They mean to deceive you of the victory, whatsoever they are that under the colour of humility and lowliness, commend unto you the service of Angels. For this they purpose, that you leaving the only mark should wander clean out of the way. I read lowliness and the service of Angels, joining them together. for the later of these followeth the former. As at this day the Papists, while they devise like Philosophers about worshipping of Saints, do pretend the same. For they gather their reason from the debasing or humbling of man, therefore we must (say they) seek Mediators, that may help us. But therefore hath Christ humbled and debased himself, that we may go straight unto him, although we be miserable and wretched sinners. I know that service of Angels, is otherwise expounded of many: namely for such service as is delivered unto men by Angels. for the Devil under this title doth always set out his jugglings and deceits. The Pope at this day boasteth all the trifles, wherewith he counterfeiteth the pure service of God, to be revelations. Even likewise in old time did the Clergy avouch to be by hand given them of the Angels, whatsoever superstitions they like lying Merchants told of or taught. And so they think that in this place are reprehended all feigned and forged services or worshippings, which are falsely commended and set forth under the Authority of Angels, but in my judgement he doth rather reprehend the devise or lye of serving the Angels.

18 Lest any take from you.) He alludeth to rumors of wrestlers, vnto whome the victorye is on this condition appoynted, if they faynte not in the middest of their course, or after they haue begon to wrestle. Hee putteth them in mynde than that the false Apostles goe aboute nothing else but to take from them the victorye: because they leade them awaye from the rightnesse of their course. whereof it followeth that they are to be shunned no otherwise than most contagious plagues.