The commentaries of M. John Calvin upon the Acts of the Apostles, faithfully translated…The commentaries of M. Iohn Caluin vpon the Actes of the Apostles, faithfully translated…

32 Judas and Silas. These two brethren were sent for this cause, that they might also testify the same thing by word which was contained in the letters, and more also. Otherwise the Apostles would not have sent such short letters concerning so great and weighty a matter: and they would have also spoken somewhat touching the mysteries of faith, and would have made some long exhortation, wherein they would have persuaded them unto the study of godliness. Now Luke showeth some farther thing by them done: to wit, that being furnished with the gift of Prophecy, they edify the Church in general, as if he should say, they did not only do their duty faithfully in the cause which was now in hand: but they did also take good and profitable pains in teaching and exhorting the Church. And we must note that he saith that they exhorted the Church because they were Prophets: for it is not a thing common to all men to enter such an excellent function. Therefore we must beware least any man pass his bounds: as Paul teacheth 1. Cor. 7. and Ephesians 4.¹ that every one keep himself within the measure of grace received. Wherefore it is not in vain that Luke saith that the office of teaching is peculiar: least any man through ambition being void of ability, or through rash zeal, or through any other foolish desire coveting to put out his head, trouble the order of the Church.

32 Iudas and Silas. These two brethren were sent for this cause, that they might also testifie the same thing by word which was contained in the letters, and more also. Otherwise the Apostles woulde not haue sent such short letters concerning so great and weightie a matter: and they would haue also spoken somewhat touching the mysteries of faith, and would haue made some long exhortation, wherein they would haue perswaded them vnto the studie of godlinesse. Nowe Luke sheweth some farther thing by them done: to wit, that being furnished with the gift of Prophecie, they edifie the Church in generall, as if he shoulde say, they did not onely doe their duetie faithfullie in the cause which was nowe in hande: but they did also take good and profitable paines in teaching and exhorting the Church. And we must note that he saith that they exhorted the Church because they were Prophetes: for it is not a thing common to all men to enter such an excellent function. Therefore we must beware least any man passe his bounds: as Paul teacheth