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…

12 One Ananias. Paul proceedeth now unto the fourth point: to wit that he did not only give his name to Christ being astonied with miracles: but that he was also well and throughly instructed in the doctrine of the Gospel. I have already said that Ananias met Paul not by chance, but through the direction of Christ. And whereas he giveth him the title of godliness as concerning the Law, and sayeth that he was well reported off by the whole nation, in these words he preventeth the wrong opinion which they might conceive. As they loathed the Gentiles so they would never have allowed any teacher coming from them. And one that had revolted from the Law should have ben most detestable. Therefore he witnesseth that he worshipped God according to the Law, and that his godliness was known and commended among all the Jews, so that they ought not to suspect him. These words according to the Law are ignorantly by some coupled with the text following, that he was approved according to the Law. For Ananias his religion is rather distinguished by this mark from the superstitions of the Gentiles. Though we must note, that the Law is not mentioned to establish the merits of works, that they may be set against the grace of God: but Ananias his godliness is clearly acquitted of all evil suspicion which might have risen among the Jews. And seeing that he restoreth sight to Paul with one word: it appeareth thereby that he was sent of God, as I have said before.

12 One Ananias. Paul proceedeth now vnto the fouerth point: to wit that he did not onely giue his name to Christ being astonyed with myracles: but that hee was also well and throughly instructed in the doctrine of the Gospel. I haue already saide that Ananias met Paul not by chance, but through the direction of Christ. And whereas he giueth him the title of godlinesse as concerning the Lawe, and saieth that hee was well reported off by the whole nation, in these words he preuenteth the wrong opinion which they might conceiue. As they loathed the Gentiles so they would neuer haue allowed any teacher comming from them. And one that had reuolted from the Law should haue ben most detestable. Therefore he witnesseth that he worshipped God according to the Law, and that his godlines was knowne and commended among all the Iewes, so that they ought not to suspect him. These wordes according to the Law are ignorātly by some coupled with the text following, that he was approued according to the Law. For Ananias his religion is rather distinguished by this marke from the superstitions of the Gentiles. Though we must note, that the Law is not mentioned to establish the merits of works, that they may be set against the grace of God: but Ananias his godlinesse is clearely acquited of al euil suspition which might haue risen among the Iewes. And seing that he restoreth sight to Paul with one word: it appeareth thereby that he was sent of God, as I haue said before.