John Calvin Commentary Philippians 1:7

"even as it is right for me to be thus minded on behalf of you all, because I have you in my heart, inasmuch as, both in my bonds and in the defence and confirmation of the gospel, ye all are partakers with me of grace." — Philippians 1:7 (ASV)

As it is reasonable. For we are envious evaluators of the gifts of God if we do not consider as children of God those in whom there shine forth those true signs of piety, which are the marks by which the Spirit of adoption reveals himself. Paul accordingly says that it is only right for him to have good hope for the Philippians in the future, since he sees them to be partners with him in grace.

I have carefully considered my decision to offer a different translation of this passage than Erasmus, as the discerning reader will easily understand. For he states his opinion of the Philippians, which was the basis for his good hope concerning them. He says, then, that they are partakers with him of the same grace in his bonds, and in the defense of the gospel.

To have them in his heart is to consider them as such in the deepest affection of his heart. For the Philippians had always assisted Paul as much as they could, connecting themselves with him as partners in upholding the cause of the gospel. Thus, although they were absent in body, yet, on account of the pious disposition which they showed through every service they could offer, he recognizes them as sharing his imprisonment.

“I have you, therefore, in my heart;” this means sincerely and without any pretense, certainly, and with no slight or doubtful opinion—as what? As partakers of grace. In what? In my bonds, by which the gospel is defended. Since he acknowledged them to be such, it was reasonable for him to have good hope for them.

Of my grace and in the bonds. It would seem ludicrous from the world's perspective to consider imprisonment a benefit from God, but if we evaluate the matter correctly, it is an uncommon honor that God bestows on us when we suffer persecution for the sake of His truth. For it was not said in vain:

Blessed shall you be, when men shall afflict and harass you with all kinds of reproaches for my name’s sake (Matthew 5:11).

Let us therefore also remember that we must readily and eagerly embrace the fellowship of the cross of Christ as a special favor from God. In addition to bonds, he adds the defense and confirmation of the gospel, so that he may better express the honorable nature of the service which God has entrusted to us by placing us in opposition to His enemies to bear testimony to His gospel.

For it is as though He had entrusted us with the defense of His gospel. And truly, it was when armed with this thought that the martyrs were prepared to despise all the rage of the wicked and to overcome every kind of torture. I wish that this were present in the minds of all who are called to confess their faith: that they have been chosen by Christ to be advocates to plead His cause! For if they were sustained by such comfort, they would be too courageous to be so easily turned aside into treacherous rebellion.

Here, however, someone will ask whether the confirmation of the gospel depends on the steadfastness of men. I answer that the truth of God is in itself too firm to need support from any other source; for though we should all be found liars, God nevertheless remains true (Romans 3:4). However, there is no absurdity in saying that weak consciences are confirmed in it by such aids.

Therefore, that kind of confirmation of which Paul speaks relates to people, as we learn from our own experience that the slaughter of so many martyrs has at least had this benefit: that they have been as it were so many seals by which the gospel has been sealed in our hearts. Hence that saying of Tertullian, that “the blood of the martyrs is the seed of the Church,”—which I have imitated in a certain poem: “But that sacred blood, the maintainer of God’s honor, will be like seed for producing offspring.”