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…

19 And now Paul showeth his modesty when he doth not make him self the Author of those things which he had done: but giving the praise to God, doth call himself only the minister, whose industry God had used. As we must grant, that whatsoever thing is excellent and worthy praise, it is not done by our own power, but for as much as GOD doth work in us: & especially touching the edifying of the church. Again, it appeareth how far off the elders were from envy, when they glorify God for the joyful success. But because mention is made of no other Apostle besides James, we may conject that they were gone into divers places to spread abroad and preach the Gospel, as their calling did require. For the Lord had not appointed them to stay still at Jerusalem: but after they had made a beginning there, he commandeth them to go into Judea and other parts of the world. Moreover, the error of those men, who think that James was one of the disciples whom Paul numbereth among the three pillars of the church, is refuted before in the fifteenth chapter. And though the same commandment was given to him which was given to the rest of his fellows in office: yet I do not doubt but that they did so divide them selves, that James stood still at Jerusalem, whither many strangers were wont daily to resort. For that was all one as if he had preached the Gospel far and wide in strange places.

19 And now Paul sheweth his modesty when he doth not make him self the Author of those things which he had done: but giuing the praise to God, doth cal himself onlie the minister, whose industry God had vsed. As we must graunt, that whatsoeuer thing is excellent and woorthy praise, it is not done by our owne power, but for as much as GOD doth woorke in vs: & especially touching the edifying of the church. Again, it appeareth how farre off the elders were from enuy, when they glorifie God for the ioyful successe. But because mention is made of no other Apostle besides Iames, we may coniect that they were gone into diuers places to spread abroade and preach the Gospel, as their calling did require. For the Lord had not appointed them to stay stil at Ierusalem: but after they had made a beginning there, he commandeth them to goe into Iudea and other partes of the world. Moreouer, the errour of those men, who thinke that Iames was one of the disciples whō Paul numbreth among the three pillers of the church, is refuted before in the fifteenth chapter. And thogh the same commandement was giuen to him which was giuen to the rest of his fellowes in office: yet I do not doubt but that they did so diuide them selues, that Iames stood stil at Ierusalem, whither many strangers were woont daily to resort. For that was all one as if he had preached the Gospel farre and wide in strange places.