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…

14 And when we were come together at Asson, having received him we came to Mitylenes. 15 And sailing thence the day following we came over against Chios: and on the morrow we arrived at Samos, and having tarried at Trogyllium we came to Miletum. 16 For Paul purposed to sail beyond Ephesus, least he should spend the time in Asia. For he made hast if it were possible for him, to keep the day of Pentecost at Jerusalem. 17 And having sent messengers from miletum to Ephesus, he called the Elders of the Church. 18 Who when they were come to him, he said unto them, Ye know from the first day wherein I entered into Asia, how I have bin with you at all seasons. 19 Serving the Lord with all humility of mind, & with many tears & temptations, which happened to me by the laying in wait of the Jews. 20 So that I have kept nothing back which might be for your profit, but did show to you and teach you publicly and through every house, 21 Testifying both to the Jews and Grecians the repentance which is toward God, and the faith which is toward our Lord Jesus Christ.

14 And when we were come togither at Asson, hauing receiued him we came to Mitylenes. 15 And sailing thence the day following we came ouer against Chios: and on the morrow we arriued at Samos, and hauing tarried at Trogyllium we came to Miletum. 16 For Paul purposed to saile beyond Ephesus, least he should spend the time in Asia. For he made hast if it were possible for him, to keepe the day of Pentecost at Ierusalem. 17 And hauing sent messengers from miletum to Ephesus, he called the Elders of the Church. 18 Who when they were come to him, he said vnto them, Yee know from the first day wherein I entred into Asia, how I haue bin with you at all seasons. 19 Seruing the Lord with all humilitie of minde, & with many teares & temptations, which hapned to me by the laying in wait of the Iewes. 20 So that I haue kept nothing back which might bee for your profite, but did shew to you and teach you publikely and through euery house, 21 Testifiyng both to the Iewes and Grecians the repentance which is towarde God, and the faith which is toward our Lord Iesus Christ.

16 For Paul purposed. It is not to be doubted but that he had great & weighty causes to make hast: not that he made so great account of the day, but because strangers did then use to come together to Jerusalem out of all quarters. Forasmuch as he did hope that he might do some good in such a great assembly, he would not foreslow the opportunity. Therefore let us know that the worship of the law was not the cause that he made so great hast: but he set before his eyes the edifying of the church: partly that he might show to the faithful that the kingdom of Christ was enlarged, partly that if there were any as yet strangers from Christ, he might gain them: partly that he might stop the mouths of the wicked. Notwithstanding we must note, that he did in the mean season provide for other churches. For in sending for the elders of Ephesus to Miletum, he showeth that he did not neglect Asia. And whereas they come together when they be called, it is not only a token of concord, but also of modesty. For they were many: yet doeth it not irk them to obey one Apostle of Christ, whom they knew to be endued with singular gifts. Moreover it appeareth more plainly by the text, that those are called elders, not which were grey headed, but such as were rulers of the Church. And it is an usual thing almost in all tongues, that those be called elders & fathers, who are appointed to govern others, though their age be not always according.