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…

Of religious Grecians a multitude. Because these had learned the first principles of Godliness, they were nearer to the kingdom of GOD than others who had always laid in the filth of superstition, Notwithstanding the question is how the Grecians came by religion, who being bewitched with wicked errors and dotings, were without God:¹ as Paul teacheth. But we must know that whither soever the Jews were exiled, there went with them some seed of godliness, and there was some smell of pure doctrine spread abroad. For their miserable scattering abroad was so turned unto a contrary end by the wonderful counsel of God, that it did gather those unto the true faith who did wander in error. And though religion were also corrupt among them with many wicked inventions: yet because most of the Gentiles were weary of their madness, they were by this short sum enticed unto Judaism, that, Nothing is more safe than the worship of one and the true God. Therefore by religious Grecians understand those who had some taste of the true and lawful worship of God, so that they were not any longer given to gross Idolatry. Though as I have said, it is to be thought that it was only a light and obscure taste, which was far from true instruction. Wherefore Luke doth unproperly give them such an honourable title. But as the Spirit of God doeth sometimes vouchsafe some rude beginning and first exercise of faith, or the only preparation the name of faith: so they are called in this place Religious, who having taken their leave of Idols, had begun to acknowledge one God.

Of religious Grecians a multitude. Because these had learned the first principles of Godlinesse, they were neerer to the kingdome of GOD than others who had alwayes layd in the filth of superstition, Notwithstanding the question is howe the Grecians came by religion, who beeing bewitched with wicked errours and dotings, were without God:¹ as Paul teacheth. But wee must knowe that whither soeuer the Iewes were exiled, there went with them some seede of godlinesse, and there was some smell of pure doctrine spread abrode. For their miserable scattering abroade was so turned vnto a contrarie ende by the wonderfull counsell of God, that it did gather those vnto the true faith who did wander in errour. And though religion were also corrupt among them with manie wicked inuentions: yet because most of the Gentiles were wearie of their madnesse, they were by this short summe inticed vnto Iudaisme, that, Nothing is more safe than the worshippe of one and the true God. Therefore by religious Grecians vnderstande those who had some tast of the true and lawfull worship of God, so that they were not any longer giuen to grosse Idolatrie. Though as I haue said, it is to be thought that it was onely a light and obscure tast, which was farre from true instruction. Wherefore Luke doth vnproperly giue them such an honorable title. But as the Spirite of God doeth sometimes vouchsafe some rude beginning and first exercise of faith, or the onely preparation the name of faith: so they are called in this place Religious, who hauing taken their leaue of Idols, had begun to acknowledge one God.