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 God shall smite thee. Paul cannot put up that injury, but he must at least with sharp words reprehend the high Priest, and denounce Gods vengeance unto him. For it is no curse as appeareth sufficiently by the Greek text: but rather a reprehension, joined with the denouncing of a punishment. If any man object, that Paul did not use that modesty, which Christ commandeth his to use, when he commandeth them after they have received a blow on the left cheek to turn the right cheek also: we may readily answer,¹ that Christ doth not in these words require silence, whereby the wickedness and frowardness of the wicked may be nourished: but he doeth only bridle ⟨p. 524⟩their minds, that they may not take that injury which they have already received, impatiently. Christ will have those that be his to be ready to suffer another injury, after that they have already received one: and by this means he represseth all desire of revenge. This is a brief and true definition of patience which beseemeth all the faithful, that they break not out into wrathfulness, that they do not one evil turn for another: but that they overcome evil with goodness. But this is no let but that they may complain of those injuries which they have suffered, but that they may reprove the wicked, and cite them to the judgement seat of God: so they do this with quiet and calm minds: and secondly without evil will and hatred: as Paul appealeth in this place unto gods judgment seat, that the high priest may not flatter him self in his tyranny. Therefore he accuseth him, because he breaketh the Law, from which (as he pretendeth) he hath his authority: whence he gathereth, that he shall not escape unpunished. If any man being overcome with impatience, do but murmur, he shall not be blameless: But a manifest and sharp accusation, if it proceed from a quiet mind, doth not pass the bounds set down by Christ. If any man say, that it is mixed with railing. I answer, that we must always mark with what affection the words be uttered. Christ pronounceth that man to be worthy to be punished by the council, who shall only say to his brother, Racha:² and as for him who shall say, thou fool, he maketh him subject to a more heavy judgement. But if opportunity be offered to reprove, we must oftentimes reprehend sharply.