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…

13 In the day of the Sabbaths. No doubt the Jews sought some place which was solitary and by the way, when they were disposed to pray because their religion was then every where most odious. And God by their example meant to teach us, what great account we ought to make of the profession of faith: that we do not forsake it either for fear of envy or of danger. They had in deed in many places Synagogues: but it was not lawful for them to assemble themselves publicly at Philippi which was a free City of Rome. Therefore they withdraw themselves into a secret corner, that they may pray to god where they could not be espied: and yet there were those who did grudge even at this, so that they might think that it might both cause trouble and danger, but they prefer the worship of God before their own quietness & commodity. Furthermore we may gather by this word Sabaoth, that Luke speaketh of the Jews. Secondly forasmuch as he commendeth the godliness of Lydia, it must needs be that she was a Jewess: which matter needeth no long disputation, forasmuch as we know that it was an heinous offence for the grecians & Romans to celebrate the Sabaoth, or to take up Jewish rites. Now we understand that the Jews made choice of the rivers bank that they might there pray, not for any superstitions sake, but because they shunned the company of men, & the sight of the people. If any man object, why did not every man pray in his house privately. The answer is ready, that This was a solemn rite of praying to testify godliness: & that being far from the superstitions of the Gentiles, they might one exhort another to worship God alone, & that they might nourish the religion received of the fathers among themselves. As touching Paul & his fellows who were lately come, it is to be thought that they came thither not only to pray, but also because they hoped to do some good. For it was a fit place for them to teach in, being far from noise: & it was meet that they should be more attentive to hear the word who came thither to pray. Luke putteth the day of the sabbaths, in steed of the sabaoth: where following Erasmus I have translated it, There was wont to be prayer: the old interpreter hath, did seem. And the word nomizesthai hath both significations among the Grecians. Yet this sense is more fit for this present place, that they did commonly use to have prayer there.

13 In the day of the Sabaoths. No doubt the Iewes sought some place which was solitarie and by the way, when they were disposed to pray because their religion was then euery where most odious. And God by their example meant to teach vs, what great account we ought to make of the profession of faith: that wee doe not forsake it either for feare of enuie or of daunger. They had in deede in many places Synagogues: but it was not lawfull for them to assemble themselues publikely at Philippi which was a free Citie of Rome. Therefore they withdraw themselues into a secreat corner, that they may pray to god where they could not be espied: and yet there were those who did grudge euen at this, so that they might think that it might both cause trouble and danger, but they prefer the worship of God before their own quietnes & commoditie. Furthermore we may gather by this worde Sabaoth, that Luke speaketh of the Iewes. Secondly forasmuch as he commendeth the godlines of Lydia, it must needs be that she was a Iewesse: which matter needeth no long disputation, forasmuch as we know that it was an hainous offēce for the grecians & Romās to celebrate the Sabaoth, or to take vp Iewish rites. Now we vnderstand that the Iewes made choise of the riuers bank that they might there pray, not for any superstitions sake, but because they shunned the company of men, & the sight of the people. If any man obiect, why did not euery man pray in his house priuatly. The answere is ready, that This was a solemn rite of praying to testifie godlines: & that being far from the superstitions of the Gentiles, they might one exhort another to worship God alone, & that they might norish the religion receiued of the fathers among thēselues. As touching Paul & his fellowes who were lately come, it is to be thought that they came thither not only to pray, but also because they hoped to do some good. For it was a fit place for them to teach in, being far from noise: & it was meet that they should be more attentiue to heare the word who came thither to pray. Luke putteth the day of the sabaoths, in steed of the sabaoth: where following Erasmus I haue translated it, There was wont to be praier: the old interpreter hath, did seeme. And the word nomizesthai hath both significations among the Grecians. Yet this sense is more fit for this present place, that they did commonly vse to haue prayer there.