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…

22 The multitude must needs come together. The verb is a verb neuter, as if they should say, the multitude must of necessity come together. For it had been an absurd thing that an apostle of such rare report should not come before the whole multitude of the faithful. For if he had eschewed the light and sight of people, the sinister suspicion might have bin increased. Nevertheless we see how modestly the Elders behaved themselves in nourishing concord, when as they prevent the offence of the people in time, saving that they bear too much peradventure with their infirmity, in requiring a vow of Paul. But this moderation must be kept in the church, that the pastors be in great authority, & yet that they rule not proudly as Lords, neither despise the rest of the body. For the distinction of orders, which is the bond of peace, ought not to be any cause of dissension.

22 The multitude must needes come together. The verb is a verb neuter, as if they should say, the multitude must of necessitie com together. For it had been an absurd thing that an apostle of such rare report shoulde not come before the whole multitude of the faithfull. For if hee had eschewed the light and sight of people, the sinister suspition might haue byn increased. Neuerthelesse we see how modestly the Elders behaued themselues in nourishing concord, when as they preuent the offence of the people in time, sauing that they beare too much peraduenture with their infirmitie, in requiring a vow of Paul. But this moderation must be kept in the church, that the pastours bee in great authoritie, & yet that they rule not proudly as Lords, neither despice the rest of the body. For the distinction of orders, which is the bond of peace, ought not to bee any cause of discention.

23 Do that which we say to thee. The Elders seem (as I said even now) to be fallen unto a foolish pampering through too much love of their nation. But the manifest judgement of that thing dependeth upon the circumstances, which are hid from us at this day: yet they knew them well. The whole body almost did consist upon Jews, so that they needed not to fear the offending of the Gentiles. For in other regions this was the cause of departure, because every man was wedded to his own custom, & would prescribe a law to others. Furthermore they had at Jerusalem many things which might provoke them to keep the ceremonies of the law, so that