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…

Therefore this contrariety is of great weight, in that he sayeth that he was so puffed up with pride that he thought he should get the victory of Christ: whereby he teacheth that he was nothing less, then made a disciple of Christ through his own industry. The name of Jesus of Nazareth is taken in this place for the whole profession of the Gospel, which Paul sought to extinguish, by making war ignorantly against God, as we may see.

Therefore this contrarietie is of great waight, in that hee saieth that hee was so puffed vp with pride that he thought hee should get the victorie of Christ: whereby hee teacheth that he was nothing lesse, then made a disciple of Christe through his own industry. The name of Iesus of Nazareth is taken in this place for the whole profession of the Gospel, which Paul sought to extinguish, by making war ignorantly against God, as we may see.

10 Which thing I did. He proveth by his very facts with what force of zeal he was carried away to strive against Christ, until greater force did pull him back, and made him go the quite contrary way. Furthermore his adversaries were witnesses of this his vehemency: so that it was most certain that he was suddenly changed: and undoubtedly the priests would never have put him in any such office, unless he had behaved himself courageously in exercising cruelty: and it was meet that he should be very courageous who should satisfy their fury. This is also to be noted, that Paul was not ashamed to confess how sore he had offended against God, so that that might turn to the glory of Christ. It was to him undoubtedly reproachful, to have been carried away with blind zeal, so that he enforced those to blaspheme which did desire to serve God: to have troubled the good and simple diversly: to have given sentence of the shedding of innocent blood: finally to have lifted up his horns even unto heaven, until he was thrown down. But he doth not spare his own estimation, but doth willingly utter his own shame, that the mercy of God may the more plainly appear thereby.

10 Which thing I did. Hee prooueth by his very factes with what force of zeale hee was carryed away to striue against Christ, vntill greater force did pull him backe, and made him goe the quite contrary way. Furthermore his aduersaries were witnesses of this his vehemencie: so that it was most certaine that he was sodainly chaunged: and vndoubtedlie the priestes would neuer haue put him in any such office, vnlesse he had behaued himselfe couragiously in exercising crueltie: and it was meete that hee shoulde bee very couragious who shoulde satifie their furie. This is also to be noted, that Paul was not ashamed to confesse how sore he had offended against God, so that that might turne to the glory of Christe. It was to him vndoubtedly reprochfull, to haue beene carried away with blinde zeal, so that hee enforced those to blaspheme which did desire to serue God: to haue troubled the good and simple diuersly: to haue giuen sentence of the shedding of innocent blood: finallie to haue lifted vp his hornes euen vnto heauen, vntill hee was throwen downe. But he doth not spare his own estimation, but doth willinglie vtter his owne shame, that the mercy of God may the more plainely appeare thereby.