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…

Therefore so soon as he receiveth us to be kept, he maketh his word the instrument to keep our salvation, in which sense he addeth the adjunct, Grace (for the Genitive case after the manner of the Hebrews doth signify an effect) to the end the faithful might the more safely rest in the word, where God doth show forth his favour. This exposition is plain and apt: for whereas some understand it of Christ, it is too much racked.

Therefore so soone as he receiueth vs to be kept, he maketh his word the instrument to keep our saluation, in which sense hee addeth the adiunct, Grace (for the Genetiue case after the manner of the Hebrewes doth signify an effect) to the end the faithful might the more safely rest in the word, where God doth shewe foorth his fauour. This exposition is plaine and apt: for whereas some vnderstand it of Christ, it is too much rackt.

Who is able to build farther. The participle dunamenos, is to be referred unto God, not unto his word. And this consolation is added for this cause least they faint through the feeling of their infirmities. For so long as we be environed with the infirmities of the flesh, we be like to an house whose foundation is laid. All the godly must be grounded in deed in Christ, but their faith is far from being perfect. Yea though the foundation continue stable & sure, yet some parts of the building be like to fall and quail. Wherefore there is great need both of continual building, & also now & then new props and stays be necessary. Nevertheless Paul saith that we must not faint, because the Lord will not leave his work unfinished:¹ as he doth likewise teach in the first chapter to the Philippians, He which hath begun a good work in you, will perform it until the day of the Lord. Whereto that of the Psalm answereth, thou wilt not forsake the work of our hands. That which is added immediately concerning the inheritance of life, appertaineth unto the very enjoying of life. So soon as Christ hath appeared to us, we pass in deed from death to life: & faith is an entrance into the kingdom of heaven: neither is the Spirit of adoption given to us in vain: but Paul promiseth in this place to the faithful, a continual increase of grace, until they see the possession of the inheritance whereunto they have been called, which is now laid up for them in heaven. He calleth it the power of god not as we use to imagine it without effect, but which is commonly called actual. For the faithful must so lay hold upon it, that they may have it ready like to a shield or buckler to hold up against all assaults of Satan. As the Scripture doth teach that we have aid enough in the power of God: so let us remember that none are strong in the Lord save those who abandoning all hope and confidence of their own freewill, trust and lean to him, who, as Paul saith very well, is able to build farther.