John Colet (1467–1519) was an English Catholic priest and humanist, who was close to Desiderius Erasmus (1466–1536).

Colet promoted catechesis as the key to reforming the church. In this comment, Colet weaves together several passages where Paul cries out in astonishment that while we were still sinners, in God’s wisdom, Christ became incarnate, died and rose again, so that we could have true life in God.

Christ’s Humiliation Brought Our Exaltation

Here I stand amazed, and cry, with him who is my theme: O the depths of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! O wisdom, kind and merciful toward men in a wonderful degree! Well may your lovingkindness be called a depth of riches. When you did commend your love toward us, you would be so bountiful as to give your own self for us, that we might be restored to you and to God. Oh! Loving, gracious, beneficent wisdom! You that were God’s mouthpiece, Word and incarnate Truth! Word, true in utterance, true in act! You would teach us in human guise, that we might gain the wisdom divine—you would be in man, that we might be in God. You in your humanity would humble yourself to death, even the death of the cross, that we might be exalted to life, even the life of God!

Philippians, Colossians, ed. Graham Tomlin, Reformation Commentary on Scripture, NT Vol. XI, p. 50-51