John Calvin Commentary Philippians 3:20

"For our citizenship is in heaven; whence also we wait for a Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:" — Philippians 3:20 (ASV)

But our conversation is in heaven. This statement overturns all empty shows, in which pretended ministers of the gospel are accustomed to glory, and he indirectly holds up to odium all their aims, because, by flying about above the earth, they do not aspire towards heaven.

For he teaches that nothing is to be considered of any value except God’s spiritual kingdom, because believers should lead a heavenly life in this world. They mind earthly things; it is therefore fitting that we, whose conversation is in heaven, should be separated from them.

We are, it is true, intermingled here with unbelievers and hypocrites; moreover, the chaff often seems more prominent in the Lord's granary than the wheat. Furthermore, we are exposed to the common inconveniences of this earthly life; we also require food and drink, and other necessities. But we must, nevertheless, engage with heaven in mind and heart.

For, on the one hand, we must pass quietly through this life, and, on the other hand, we must be dead to the world so that Christ may live in us, and that we, in turn, may live to him. This passage is a most abundant source of many exhortations, which it would be easy for anyone to draw from it.

Whence also. From the connection that we have with Christ, he proves that our citizenship is in heaven, for it is not proper that the members should be separated from their Head. Accordingly, as Christ is in heaven, so that we may be united with him, it is necessary that we should in spirit dwell apart from this world. Besides,

where our treasure is, there is our heart also.
(Matthew 6:21)

Christ, who is our blessedness and glory, is in heaven: let our souls, therefore, dwell with him on high. On this account he expressly calls him Savior. From where does salvation come to us? Christ will come to us from heaven as a Savior. Hence it would be unfitting that we should be preoccupied with this earth.

This epithet, Savior, is suited to the connection of the passage; for we are said to be in heaven in our minds because it is from that source alone that the hope of salvation shines upon us.

As the coming of Christ will be terrible to the wicked, it rather turns their minds away from heaven than draws them there; for they know that he will come to them as a Judge, and they shun him as much as they can.

From these words of Paul, pious minds derive the sweetest consolation, as they instruct them that the coming of Christ is to be desired by them, since it will bring salvation to them. On the other hand, it is a sure sign of unbelief when people tremble at any mention of it (see Romans 8).

While, however, others are carried away by vain desires, Paul wants believers to be contented with Christ alone.

Furthermore, we learn from this passage that nothing lowly or earthly is to be conceived concerning Christ, since Paul instructs us to look upward to heaven, that we may seek him.

Now, those who argue subtly that Christ is not confined or hidden in some corner of heaven, in order to prove that his body is everywhere and fills heaven and earth, do indeed say something true, but not the whole truth.

For just as it would be rash and foolish to ascend beyond the heavens and assign to Christ a station, or seat, or place of walking, in this or that region, so it is a foolish and destructive madness to draw him down from heaven by any carnal consideration, so as to seek him upon earth.

Up, then, with our hearts, that they may be with the Lord.