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…

Received the word. This is the first thing which he commendeth in the men of Thessalonica, that with a willing and ready desire they received the Gospel. Secondly, that they confirmed their faith by diligent inquisition. So that their faith and godliness are commended in the beginning for forwardness, and in process they are praised for their constancy and fervent desire they had to profit. And surely this is the first entrance into faith, that we be ready to follow, and that abandoning the understanding and wisdom of the flesh,¹ we submit our selves to Christ, by him to be taught and to obey him. Also Paul himself in adorning the Thessalonians with this title, doeth agree with Saint Luke.

Receiued the worde. This is the first thing which he commendeth in the men of Thessalonica, that with a willing and ready desire they receyued the Gospell. Secondlie, that they confirmed their faith by diligent inquisition. So that their faith and godlinesse are commendod in the beginning for forwardnesse, and in processe they are praysed for their constancie and feruent desire they had to profit. And surely this is the first entrance into faith, that we be readie to follow, and that abandoning the vnderstanding and wisedome of the fleshe,¹ wee submit our selues to Christ, by him to be taught and to obey him. Also Paul himself in adorning the Thessalonians with this title, doeth agree with Saint Luke.

1. 11. The. 2.13

As touching the second member, this diligence is no small virtue whereunto Luke saith, the faithful were much given, for confirmation of their faith. For many who at the first break out, give them selves straightway to idleness while that they have no care to profit, and so loose that small seed, which they had at the first. But two inconveniences may be in this place objected. For it seemeth to be a point of arrogance, in that they inquire that they may judge: & it seemeth to be a thing altogether disagreeing with that readiness whereof he spake of late: secondly for as much as inquisition is a sign of doubtfulness: it followeth that they were before endued with no faith which hath always assurance & certainty joined and linked with it. Unto the first objection I answer, that Luke his words ought not so to be understood, as if the Thessalonians took upon them to judge, or as though they disputed whether the truth of God were to be received: they did only examine Pauls doctrine by the rule and square of the scripture, even as gold is tried in the fire. For the Scripture is the true touchstone whereby all doctrines must be tried. If any man say that this kind of trial is doubtful, forasmuch as the Scripture is oftentimes doubtful, and is interpreted diverse ways: I say, that we must also add the judgement of the Spirit, who is not without cause called the Spirit of discretion. But the faithful must judge of every doctrine no otherwise than out of, and according to the Scriptures, having the Spirit for their leader and guide. And by this means is refuted that sacrilegious quippe of the Papists, Because there can be nothing gathered certainly out of the Scriptures, faith doth depend only upon the determination of the Church.