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…

3 I am a Jew. As all things were out of order at that day among the Jews, many rogues and vagabonds, to the end they might have some shroud for their wickedness, did falsely boast that they were Jews. Therefore to the end Paul may acquit himself of this suspicion, he beginneth at his birth: that done he declareth that he was known in Jerusalem, because he was brought up there of a child: though this latter thing seemeth to be spoken not only for certainties sake: but because it skilled much that this should also be known, how well he had bin instructed.

3 I am a Iewe. As all things were out of order at that day among the Iewes, manie roges and vagabounds, to the ende they might haue some shrowd for their wickednesse, did falsely boast that they were Iewes. Therefore to the ende Paule may acquite himselfe of this suspition, hee beginneth at his byrth: that done hee declareth that hee was knowne in Ierusalem, because he was brought vp there of a childe: though this latter thing seemeth to bee spoken not onely for certainties sake: but because it skilled much that this should also bee knowne, how well he had bin instructed.

There is nothing more bold to cause trouble than unlearned men. And at that day the government of the Church was so decayed, that religion was not only subject to sects, but also miserably mangled and torn in pieces. Therefore Paul nameth his master least any man may think that he had not been nuzzled up in learning, and therefore had he forsaken the worship of the fathers. As many men who are not trained up in learning, forget their nature and grow out of kind. But Paul sayeth chiefly that he was well taught in the Law, that the Jews may understand, that it was not through ignorance (as it falleth out oftentimes) that he causeth such ado, and doeth counterfeit their monsters.

There is nothing more bolde to cause trouble than vnlearned men. And at that day the gouernement of the Church was so decayed, that religion was not onely subiect to sectes, but also miserablie mangled and torne in peeces. Therefore Paul nameth his master least any man may thinke that he had not beene nousled vp in learning, and therefore had hee forsaken the worshippe of the fathers. As many men who are not trained vp in learning, forget their nature and growe out of kinde. But Paul saieth chiefely that he was well taught in the Law, that the Iewes may vnderstande, that it was not through ignorance (as it falleth out oftentimes) that hee causeth such adoe, and doeth counterfaite their monsters.