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…

11 Did excel in nobility. Luke returneth again unto the men of Thessalonica. The remembrance of Christ might have bin thought to have bin buried by the departure of Paul, and surely it is a wonder that that small light which began to shine, was not quite put out, and that the seed of sound doctrine did not wither away, which had need continually to be watered that it might spring up. But after Pauls departure, it appeared how effectual and fruitful his preaching had been. For those who had only tasted of the first principles of godliness, do nevertheless profit and go forward though he be absent, and exercise themselves in the continual reading of the Scripture. And first Luke saith that they were of the chief families. For the nobility whereof he maketh mention, is referred not unto the mind, but unto the nation. Some think that the men of Berrhea are compared with the men of Thessalonica, because he sayeth eugenesterous, and not in the superlative degree eugenestatous. But I think that that manner of speech is usual and common among the Grecians, which the Latins could not so well digest. Moreover he had said a little before, that certain principal women believed at Thessalonica, and it is not to be thought that the men of Berrhea were preferred before those of this City. And there is a threefold reason why Luke maketh mention of their excellency of birth. We know how hardly men come down from their high degree, what a rare matter it is for those who are great in the world,¹ to undertake the reproach of the cross laying away their pride, and to rejoice in humility, as James commandeth.

11 Did excell in nobilitie. Luke returneth againe vnto the men of Thessalonica. The remembrance of Christ might haue bin thought to haue bin buried by the departure of Paul, and surely it is a wonder that that small light which began to shine, was not quite put out, and that the seede of sounde doctrine did not wither away, which had neede continually to bee watered that it might spring vp. But aftet Pauls departure, it appeared howe effectuall and fruitfull his preaching had beene. For those who had onely tasted of the first principles of godlinesse, doe neuerthelesse profit and goe forward though hee be absent, and exercise themselues in the continuall reading of the Scripture. And first Luke saith that they were of the chiefe families. For the nobilitie whereof hee maketh mention, is referred not vnto the minde, but vnto the nation. Some thinke that the men of Berrhea are compared with the men of Thessalonica, because hee saieth eugenesterous, and not in the superlatiue degree eugenestatous. But I thinke that that manner of speech is vsuall and common among the Grecians, which the Latines could not so well digest. Moreouer hee had saide a little before, that certaine principall women beleeued at Thessalonica, and it is not to bee thought that the men of Berrhea were preferred before those of this Citie. And there is a threefolde reason why Luke maketh mention of their excellencie of byrth. Wee knowe howe hardlie men come downe from their high degree, what a rare matter it is for those who are great in the world,