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…

Having a vow upon them. Though these four be reckoned among the faithful, yet their vow was superstitious. Whereby it appeareth that the apostles had much trouble in that nation, which was not only hardened in the worship of the law through long use: but was also naturally malapert, & almost intractable. Though it may be that these men were as yet but novices: & therefore their faith was yet but slender & scarce well framed, wherefore the doctors did suffer them to perform the vow which they had unadvisedly made. As touching Paul, because he made this vow not moved thereunto by his own conscience, but for their sakes, with whose error he did bear, the case stood otherwise with him. Notwithstā ding we must see,¹ whether this were one of the indifferent ceremonies, which the faithful might omit or keep at their pleasure. It seemeth indeed to have in it certain things, which did not agree with the profession of faith. But because the end thereof was thanksgiving (as we said before in the 18. cha.) & there was nothing in the rite it self repugnant to the faith of Christ:² Paul did not doubt to descend thus far, to make his religion known. Therefore Paul did that which he saith of himself elsewhere: because he made himself a companion of those which followed the law, as if he him self were in subjection to the law. Finally he was made all things to all men, that he might win all: to wit, even unto the altars, so that he might pollute himself with no sacrilege under a colour of love. It had not bin so lawful for him to go unto the solemn sacrifice of satisfaction. But as for this part of the worship of God, which consisted in a vow, he might do it indifferently: so it were not done for religions sake, but only to support the week. But it was neither his intent to worship God with this rite, neither was his conscience tied, but he did freely submit himself to his weak brethren.

Hauing a vow vpon them. Though these foure be reckoned among the faithful, yet their vow was superstitious. Wherby it appeareth that the apostles had much trouble in that natiō, which was not only hardned in the worship of the law through long vse: but was also naturally malipart, & almost intractable. Though it may be that these men were as yet but nouices: & therefore their faith was yet but slender & scarce well framed, wherefore the doctors did suffer them to performe the vow which they had vnaduisedly made. As touching Paul, bicause he made this vow not moued thereunto by his owne conscience, but for their sakes, with whose error he did bear, the case stood otherwise with him. Notwithstā ding we must see,