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…

When he had shorne his head. It is uncertain whether that be spoken of Aquila or of Paul: neither skilleth it much. Though I interpret it willingly of Paul: because it seemeth to me a likely thing, that he did this for because of the Jews, unto whom he was about to come. Assuredly I think this to be a thing which all men grant, that he made not any ceremonial vow for his own cause only, that he might do some worship to god. He knew that that was to continue only for a time which God commā dead under the law to the old people: and we know how diligently he teacheth that the kingdom of God consisteth not in these external elements, and how straightly he urgeth the abrogating thereof. It had bin an absurd thing for him to bind his own conscience with that religion from which he had loosed all other men.

When he had shorne his head. It is vncertaine whether that be spoken of Aquila or of Paul: neither skilleth it much. Though I interprete it willingly of Paul: because it semeth to me a likely thing, that he did this for because of the Iewes, vnto whom he was about to com. Assuredly I think this to be a thing which all men graunt, that hee made not any ceremoniall vow for his own cause only, that he might do some worship to god. He knew that that was to continue only for a time which God commā ded vnder the law to the old people: and we know how diligently he teacheth that the kingdome of God consisteth not in these externall elements, and how straightly he vrgeth the abrogating thereof. It had byn an absurd thing for him to bind his owne conscience with that religion from which he had loosed al other men.

Therefore he did shear his head for no other cause, save only that he might apply himself to the Jews who were as yet ignorant, & not throughly taught: as he doth testify that he took upon him the voluntary observing of the law, from which he was freed, that he might gain those who were under the law. If any man object that it was not lawful for him to make semblance of a vow, which he had not made from his hart: we may easily answer,¹ that as touching the substance of purifying he did not dissemble: and that he used the ceremony which was as yet free: not as if God did require such worship, but that he might somewhat bear with the ignorant. Therefore the Papists are ridiculous when they set from hence an example of making vows. Paul was moved with no religion to make his vow: but these men place a feigned worship of God in vows. Respect of time enforced Paul to keep the rites of the law: these men do nothing else but entangle in superstition the church of Christ, which was set free long ago. For it is one thing to bring in use again old ceremonies used long ago, and another to tolerate the same being as yet used, until such time as they may by little and little grow out of use. I omit that the Papists in vain and foolishly compare the shaving of their Priests with the sign of purifying, which God had allowed in the Law. But because we need not stand any longer to refute them, let this one thing suffice us: that Paul bound himself with a vow that he might bring those which were weak to Christ, at least that he might not offend them, which vow he knew was of no importance before God.