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…

By the man whom he hath appointed. It is not to be doubted but that Paul spake more largely concerning Christ, that the Athenienses might know that he is the son of God, by whom salvation was brought to the world, and who had all power given him in heaven and earth. Otherwise this speech which we read here, should have had but small force to persuade. But Luke thought it sufficient to gather the sum of the Sermon briefly. Yet is it to be thought that Paul spake first concerning the grace of Christ, and that he did first preach him to be the Redeemer of men, before he made him a judge. But because Christ is oftentimes contemned, when he offereth himself to be a Redeemer: Paul denounceth that he will once sharply punish such wicked contempt, because the whole world must be judged by him. The word orizein may be referred, as well unto the secrete counsel of God, as unto external manifestation. Yet because the former exposition is more common, I do willingly embrace the same, to wit, that God by his eternal decree, hath ordained his son to be the judge of the world: & that to the end the reprobate who refuse to be ruled by Christ, may learn that they strive but in vain against the decree of GOD which cannot be broken. But because nothing seemeth more strange to men, then that God shall judge in the person of man, Paul addeth afterward, that this dignity of Christ, which were hard to be believed, was approved by his resurrection.

By the man whō he hath appointed. It is not to be doubted but that Paule spake more largely concerning Christe, that the Athenienses mighte knowe that he is the sonne of God, by whom saluation was brought to the worlde, and who had all power giuen him in heauen and earth. Otherwise this speeche which we reade here, shoulde haue had but small force to perswade. But Luke thought it sufficient to gather the summe of the Sermon briefly. Yet is it to bee thought that Paule spake firste concerning the grace of Christ, and that he did first preach him to be the Redeemer of men, before he made him a iudge. But because Christ is oftentimes contemned, when he offereth himselfe to be a Redeemer: Paul denounceth that he will once sharpely punishe such wicked contempt, because the whole world must be iudged by him. The woorde orizein may be referred, as well vnto the secrete counsel of God, as vnto externall manifestation. Yet because the former exposition is more common, I doe willingly imbrace the same, to wit, that God by his eternall decree, hath ordained his sonne to bee the iudge of the worlde: & that to the ende the reprobate who refuse to be ruled by Christ, may learne that they striue but in vaine against the decree of GOD which cannot be broken. But because nothing seemeth more strange to men, then that God shal iudge in the person of man, Paul addeth afterward, that this dignity of Christ, which were harde to bee beleeued, was approued by his resurrection.