John Calvin Commentary Colossians 3:15

"And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to the which also ye were called in one body; and be ye thankful." — Colossians 3:15 (ASV)

And the peace of God. He gives the name peace of God to that which God has established among us, as will become clear from what follows. He desires it to reign in our hearts.

The apostle employs, however, a very appropriate metaphor. Just as among wrestlers, the one who has defeated all the others wins the prize, so he desires the peace of God to be superior to all carnal affections, which often lead us into contentions, disagreements, quarrels, and secret grudges.

He therefore prohibits us from giving free rein to such corrupt affections. However, since it is difficult to restrain them, he also points out the remedy: that the peace of God may win the victory, because it must be a bridle by which carnal affections can be restrained.

This is why he says, in our hearts; because we constantly feel great conflicts there, while the flesh lusteth against the Spirit (Galatians 5:17).

The clause, to which you are called, indicates what kind of peace this is—namely, the unity that Christ has consecrated among us under His own direction. For God has reconciled us to Himself in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:18), with the purpose that we may live in complete harmony among ourselves.

He adds, in one body, meaning by this that we cannot be in agreement with God unless we are united among ourselves as members of one body.

When he instructs us to be thankful, I do not interpret this as referring so much to remembering favors received, as to a graciousness of conduct. Therefore, to remove ambiguity, I prefer to translate it as, “Be amiable.”

At the same time, I acknowledge that if gratitude fills our minds, we will certainly be inclined to cherish mutual affection for one another.