John Calvin Commentary Philippians 3:18

"For many walk, of whom I told you often, and now tell you even weeping, [that they are] the enemies of the cross of Christ:" — Philippians 3:18 (ASV)

For many walk. The simple statement, in my opinion, is this: Many walk who mind earthly things. This means that there are many who creep upon the ground, not feeling the power of God’s kingdom. He mentions, however, in connection with this, the marks by which such persons may be distinguished. We will examine these, each in its order.

By earthly things some understand ceremonies and the outward elements of the world, which cause true piety to be forgotten. I prefer, however, to view the term as referring to carnal affection, meaning that those who are not regenerated by the Spirit of God think of nothing but the world. This will appear more distinctly from what follows, for he holds them up to contempt on this ground: that, being desirous exclusively of their own honor, ease, and gain, they had no regard for the edification of the Church.

Of whom I have told you often. He shows that it is not without good reason he has often warned the Philippians, since he now endeavors by letter to remind them of the same things he had previously spoken to them in person.

His tears also are evidence that he is not influenced by envy or hatred of people, nor by any disposition to revile, nor by insolence of temper, but by pious zeal, because he sees that the Church is miserably destroyed by such pests.

It certainly befits us to be affected in such a way that, when we see the place of pastors occupied by wicked and worthless persons, we should sigh and give evidence, at least by our tears, that we feel deeply grieved for the calamity of the Church.

It is also important to take notice of whom Paul speaks: not of open enemies, who were avowedly desirous that doctrine might be undermined, but of impostors and profligates, who trampled underfoot the power of the gospel for the sake of ambition or their own belly. And unquestionably, people of this sort, who weaken the influence of the ministry by seeking their own interests, sometimes do more injury than if they openly opposed Christ. We must, therefore, by no means spare them, but must point them out with the finger whenever there is occasion. Let them complain afterwards as much as they choose about our severity, provided they allege nothing against us that we cannot justify by Paul’s example.

That they are the enemies of the cross of Christ. Some explain cross to mean the whole mystery of redemption, and they explain that this is said of them because, by preaching the law, they made void the benefit of Christ’s death. Others, however, understand it as meaning that they shunned the cross and were not prepared to expose themselves to dangers for Christ’s sake. I understand it, however, in a more general way, as meaning that, while they pretended to be friends, they were nevertheless the worst enemies of the gospel. For it is not unusual for Paul to use the term cross to mean the entire preaching of the gospel. For as he says elsewhere, If any man is in Christ, let him be a new creature (2 Corinthians 5:17).