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…

27 Because thou shalt not leave. To leave the soul in hell, is to suffer the same to be oppressed with destruction. There be two words used in this place, both which do signify the grave amongest the Hebricians. Because Shaal doth signify to Require, I suppose it is called Seol, because death is insatiable: whence also cometh that translation, Hell hath enlarged her soul. Again, they set open their mouth like hell. And because the latter Sahath, is derived and fet from corruption or consumption, that quality is to be considered, as David meant to note the same. Those things which are disputed in this place by divers, concerning the descending of Christ into hell, are in my judgement superfluous: because they are far from the intent and purpose of the Prophet. For the word anima or soul, doth not so much signify the spirit being of an immortal essence, as the life it self. For when a man is dead, and lieth in the grave, the grave is said to rule over his life. Whereas the Grecians translate it holy, it is in Hebrew Chassith, which doth properly signify meek, or, gentle, but Luke did not much regard this, because it doth not much appertain unto the present purpose. Furthermore gentleness and meekness is so often commended in the faithful, because it behoveth them to imitate and resemble the nature of their Father.

27 Because thou shalt not leaue. To leaue the soule in hell, is to suffer the same to be oppressed with destruction. There be two wordes vsed in this place, both which doe signifie the graue amongest the Hebricians. Because Shaal doth signifie to Require, I suppose it is called Seol, because death is insatiable: whence also commeth that translation, Hel hath enlarged her soule. Again, they set open their mouth like hel. And because the latter Sahath, is deriued and fet frō corruption or consumption, that qualitie is to bee considered, as Dauid meant to note the same. Those thinges which are disputed in this place by diuers, concerning the descending of Christe into hell, are in my iudgement superfluous: because they are farre from the intent and purpose of the Prophet. For the word anima or soule, doth not so much signifie the spirite being of an immortal essence, as the life it self. For when a man is dead, and lieth in the graue, the graue is said to rule ouer his life. Whereas the Grecians translate it holie, it is in Hebrew Chassith, which doth properly signifie meek, or, gentle, but Luke did not much regard this, because it doth not much appertaine vnto the present purpose. Furthermore gentlenesse and meeknes is so often commended in the faithfull, because it behoueth them to imitate and resemble the nature of their Father.