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…

I will pour out of my Spirit. He intendeth to prove (as we have already said) that the Church can be repaired by none other means, saving only by the giving of the holy Spirit. Therefore for as much as they did all hope, that the restoring drew near, he accuseth them of sluggishness, because they do not once think upon the way, and means thereof. And when the Prophet saith, I will pour out, it is without all question, that he meant by this word to note the great abundance of the Spirit. And we must take, I will pour out of my Spirit, in the same sense, as if he had said simply, I will pour out my Spirit. For these latter words, are the words of the Prophet. But Peter followed the Grecians, who translate the Hebrew word eth, hapo. Therefore some men do in vain more subtly play the Philosophers: because how soever the words be changed, yet must we still retain and keep the prophet his meaning. Nevertheless when God is said to pour out his Spirit, I confess it must be thus understood, that he maketh manifold variety and change of gifts to flow unto men from his Spirit, as it were out of the only fountain, the fountain which can never be drawn dry. For as Paul doeth testify, there be diverse gifts,¹ and yet but one Spirit. And hence do we gather a profitable doctrine, that we can have no more excellent thing given us of God than the grace of the Spirit: yea that all other things are nothing worth, if this be wanting. For when God will briefly promise salvation ⟨p. 35⟩to his people, he affirmeth that he will give them his Spirit. Hereupon it followeth that we can obtain no good things, until we have the Spirit given us. And truly it is as it were the key, which openeth unto us the door, that we may enter into all the treasures of spiritual good things: and that we may also have entrance into the kingdom of God.

I will powre out of my Spirite. Hee intendeth to prooue (as wee haue alreadie saide) that the Church can be repaired by none other meanes, sauing onely by the giuing of the holy Spirite. Therefore for as much as they did all hope, that the restoring drewe neere, hee accuseth them of sluggishnesse, because they doe not once thinke vppon the way, and meanes thereof. And when the Prophet saith, I wil powre out, it is without all question, that he meant by this worde to note the great aboundance of the Spirite. And we must take, I will powre out of my Spirite, in the same sense, as if he had saide simplie, I will powre out my Spirite. For these latter wordes, are the wordes of the Prophet. But Peter followed the Grecians, who translate the Hebrew word eth, hapo. Therefore some men doe in vaine more subtillie play the Philosophers: because how soeuer the wordes be chaunged, yet must we still retaine and keepe the prophet his meaning. Neuertheles when God is said to powre out his Spirite, I confesse it must bee thus vnderstoode, that hee maketh manifold varietie and change of gifts to flowe vnto men from his Spirite, as it were out of the onely fountaine, the fountaine which can neuer bee drawne drie. For as Paule doeth testifie, there bee diuerse giftes,