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…

And to those which are a far of. The Gentiles are named in the last place, which were before strangers. For those which refer it unto those Jews, which were exiled a far off and driven into far countries, they are greatly deceived. For he speaketh not in this place of the distance of place: but he noteth a difference between the Jews and the Gentiles, that they were first joined to God by reason of the covenant, and so consequently became of his family or household: but the Gentiles were banished from his kingdom. Paul useth the same speech in the second Chapter to the Ephesians,¹ that the Gentiles which were strangers from the promises, are now drawn near through Jesus Christ, unto God. Because that Christ (the wall of separation being taken away) hath reconciled both the Jews & Gentiles unto the Father, and coming he hath preached peace unto those which were nigh at hand, and which were a far off. Now we understand Peter his meaning. For to the end he may amplify the grace of Christ, he doeth so offer the same unto the Jews, that he sayeth the Gentiles are also partakers thereof. And therefore he useth this word Call, as if he should say: Like as GOD hath gathered you together into one peculiar people heretofore by his voice, so the same voice shall sound every where, that those which are a far off, may come and join themselves unto you, when as they shall be called by a new proclamation.

And to those which are a farre of. The Gentiles are named in the last place, which were before straungers. For those which referre it vnto those Iewes, which were exiled a farre off and driuen into far countries, they are greatly disceiued. For hee speaketh not in this place of the distance of place: but hee noteth a difference betweene the Iewes and the Gentiles, that they were first ioyned to God by reason of the couenant, and so consequently became of his familie or housholde: but the Gentiles were banished from his kingdome. Paule vseth the same speech in the seconde Chapter to the Ephesians,¹ that the Gentiles which were straungers from the promises, are nowe drawne neere through Iesus Christ, vnto God. Because that Christ (the wal of separation being taken away) hath reconciled both the Iewes & Gentiles vnto the Father, and comming hee hath preached peace vnto those which were nigh at hand, and which were a farre off. Nowe wee vnderstande Peter his meaning. For to the end he may amplifie the grace of Christ, hee doeth so offer the same vnto the Iewes, that hee saieth the Gentiles are also partakers thereof. And therefore hee vseth this woorde Call, as if hee shoulde saie: Like as GOD hath gathered you togither into one peculiar people heretofore by his voyce, so the same voyce shall sounde euerie where, that those which are a farre off, may come and ioyne themselues vnto you, when as they shall bee called by a new proclamation.