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…

Taught in the Law of the Fathers. The old interpreter doeth translate it word for word, Taught according to the trueth of the Fathers Law: saving that [Greek or Hebrew] is rather a perfect way than trueth. Notwithstanding the question is, What he meaneth by this perfect way, seeing all of them had one and the same form of the Law. He seemeth to me to distinguish that purer form of knowledge wherein he had been trained up, from the common instruction, which did more disagree with the true and natural meaning of the Law. And although the Law of the Lord was then corrupt by many additions even among the best Doctors: yet because religion was altogether there corrupt among many; Paul doeth for good causes boast that he was both well and also diligently instructed in the Law of the Fathers: or (which is all one) Exactly or perfectly, least any man should think, that he had forgotten only some small smattering, as if he were one of the common sort.

Taught in the Lawe of the Fathers. The olde interpreter doeth translate it worde for worde, Taught according to the trueth of the Fathers Lawe: sauing that 〈non-Latin alphabet〉 is rather a perfect way than trueth. Notwithstanding the question is, What hee meaneth by this perfect way, seeing all of them had one and the same forme of the Lawe. Hee seemeth to mee to distinguish that purer forme of knowledge wherein hee had beene trayned vp, from the common instruction, which did more disagree with the true and naturall meaning of the Lawe. And although the Lawe of the Lorde was then corrupt by manie additions euen among the best Docters: yet because religion was altogither there corrupt among manie; Paul doeth for good causes boast that hee was both well and also diligently instructed in the Lawe of the Fathers: or (which is all one) Exactly or perfectly, least any man should thinke, that he had forgotten onely some smal smattering, as if he were one of the common sorte.

But because many who are well taught, are notwithstanding full stuffed with Epicurish contempt of God, he declareth that he was zealous toward God: as if he should say that the serious study of godliness was annexed to doctrine, so that he meant not to dally in holy things, as profane men do of set purpose confound all things.