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…

17 All the Grecians having taken Sosthenes. This is that Sosthenes whom Paul doth honourably couple with himself as his companion, in the beginning of the former Epistle to the Corinthians. And though there be no mention made of him before among the faithful: yet it is to be thought that he was then one of Paul his companions & advocates. And what fury did enforce the Grecians to run headlong upon him, save only because it is allotted to all the children of God to have the world set against them and offended with them & their cause, though unknown? wherefore there is no cause why such unjust dealing should trouble us at this day, when we see the miserable church oppugned on every side.

17 All the Grecians hauing taken Sosthenes. This is that Sosthenes whom Paul doth honourablie couple with himselfe as his companion, in the beginning of the former Epistle to the Corinthians. And though there be no mention made of him before among the faithfull: yet it is to bee thought that he was then one of Paul his companions & aduocates. And what fury did inforce the Grecians to run headlong vpon him, saue only because it is alotted to all the children of God to haue the world set against them and offended with them & their cause, though vnknowne? wherefore there is no cause why such vniust dealing should trouble vs at this day, when wee see the miserable church oppugned on euerie side.

Moreover, the frowardness of mans nature is depainted out unto us as in a table: admit we grant that the Jews were hated every where for good causes, yet why are the Grecians rather displeased with Sosthenes a modest man, then with the authors of the tumult, who troubled Paul without any cause namely, this is the reason: because when men are not governed with the spirit of god, they are carried headlong unto evil as it were by the secret inspiration of nature: notwithstanding it may be, that they bare Sosthenes such hatred, thinking he had lodged wicked men to raise sedition.

Moreouer, the frowardnes of mans naure is depainted out vnto vs as in a table: admit we graūt that the Iewes wer hated euery where for good causes, yet why are the Greciās rather displeased with Sosthenes a modest mā, then with the autors of the tumult, who troubled Paul without any cause namely, this is the reasō: bicause when men are not gouerned with the spirit of god, they are caried headlong vnto euil as it wer by the secret inspiratiō of nature: notwithstāding it may be, that they bare Sosthenes such hatred, thinking he had lodged wicked mē to raise sedition.