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…

12 And many believed. This is not referred unto the sentence next going before, as if those of whom he spake began to believe, making choice of some of them: for that were an absurd thing. But Luke his meaning is: because many were added by their example, the Church was increased in that City. And hitherto hath Luke declared the first beginning of the Church of Thessalonica, least any man should think that Pauls labours did perish through his sudden and violent departure: for unless I be much deceived, he showeth for this purpose what fruit his preaching brought forth in the other City, before he came to the exile of Berrhea.

12 And many beleeued. This is not referred vnto the sentence next going before, as if those of whom he spake beganne to beleeue, making choise of some of them: for that were an absurde thing. But Luke his meaning is: because many were added by their example, the Church was increased in that Citie. And hitherto hath Luke declared the first beginning of the Church of Thessalonica, least any man should thinke that Pauls labours did perish through his sodain and violent departure: for vnles I be much deceiued, he sheweth for this purpose what fruit his preaching brought forth in the other Citie, before he came to the exile of Berrhea.

13 And when the Jews. We see how the Jews were carried to and fro with such hatred of the Gospel as could never be appeased. For they do not only expel Christ furiously when he is offered unto them at home but when they hear that he is preached elsewhere, they run thither like mad men. But we must not so much in this place consider the fury of the nation, as the desperate malice of Satan who pricketh forward those which be his to trouble the kingdom of Christ, and to destroy mans salvation, & he useth them as fans to raise sedition. Wherefore let us know, that when at this day so many furious enemies do set themselves against the faithful ministers of Christ, it is not men which procure the war, but it is Satan the father of lying, who doth go about all these things, that he may overthrow the kingdom of Christ. And though there be not always the same form in fighting & encountering: yet will Satan never cease to make weary those whom he knoweth to serve Christ faithfully either with open war, or secret lying in wait,