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…

31 Him hath God lifted up. Therefore the Apostles do signify that whatsoever the wicked do go about, it did not hinder and keep back Christ from fulfilling his function which was enjoined him by his father. The right hand of God is taken for his power. Neither is the same Metaphor used in this place, which we had before chap. 2. and which is common elsewhere, when Christ is said to be lift up unto the right hand of the father: but the meaning of this place is, that Christ which was slain by the hand of men, was lift up on high by the power of God, that he might bear rule over angels and men. And this seemeth secretly to be set against all the enterprises of Satan & the world: as if he should say that they shall have no good success, because they shall never climb so high, as to hinder the hand of God, whereby he hath both wrought mightily already in his only begotten Son, neither will he ever cease to work. Yet the end is added also, that he may be a captain & Saviour. For so often as god did put his people in hope of salvation, he was wont to promise a prince or a king, by whose hand he would restore all things. The Apostles do testify that this principality was granted to Christ. Notwithstanding they do more plainly express his office by the other adjunct. The sum is this, that Christ is placed in the highest degree of honour, that he may govern the people of god: and not that only, but that he may show him self to be a saving captain, or the author of salvation.

31 Him hath God lifted vp. Therfore the Apostles do signifie that whatsoeuer the wicked do go about, it did not hinder and keepe backe Christ from fulfilling his functiō which was enioined him by his father. The right hand of God is taken for his power. Neither is the same Metaphor vsed in this place, which we had before chap. 2. and which is cōmon elswhere, when Christ is said to be lift vp vnto the right hand of the father: but the meaning of this place is, that Christ which was slain by the hand of mē, was lift vp on high by the power of God, that he might bear rule ouer angels and men. And this seemeth secretely to be set againste al the enterprises of Satan & the world: as if he should say that they shal haue no good successe, because they shal neuer climbe so high, as to hinder the hand of God, whereby hee hath both wrought mightily alreadie in his only begotten Sonne, neither will he euer cease to worke. Yet the end is added also, that he may be a captain & Sauior. For so often as god did put his people in hope of saluation, he was wont to promise a prince or a king, by whose hand he would restore all things. The Apostles do testifie that this principalitie was graunted to Christ. Notwithstanding they do more plainly expresse his office by the other adiunct. The sūme is this, that Christ is placed in the highest degree of honor, that he may gouerne the people of god: and not that only, but that he may shew him self to be a sauing captain, or the authour of saluation.