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…

47 Solomon built. Stephen seemeth to gird Solomon glancingly in this place, as if he did not regard the nature of God in building the temple, yet did he attempt that work not without the commandment of God. There was also a promise added, wherein God did testify that he would be present with his people there. I answer that when Stephen denieth that God dwelleth in temples made with hands, that is not referred unto Solomon, who knew full well that God was to be sought in heaven, and that mens minds must be lifted up thither by faith. Which thing he uttered also in that solemn prayer which he made. The heavens of heavens do not contain thee: and how much less this house? but he reproveth the blockishness of the people, which abused the temple: as if it had had God tied to it.¹ Which appeareth more plainly by the testimony of Isaiah, which he citeth also: God, saith he, would have Solomon to build him a temple, but they were greatly deceived who thought that he was as it were included in such a building: as he complaineth by his Prophet, that the people do him injury when as they imagine that he is tied to a place. But the Prophet doth not for that cause only inveigh against the Jews, because they worshipped. God superstitiously, thinking that his power was tied to the temple, but because they did esteem him according to their own affection, and therefore after that they had ended their sacrifices and external pomp, they imagined that he was pleased, and that they had brought him indebted to them. This was almost a common error in all ages, because men thought that cold ceremonies were sufficient enough for the worship of God. The reason is, because forasmuch as they are carnal & wholly set upon the world, they imagine that God is like to them. Therefore to the end God may take from them this blockishness, he saith that he filleth all things.

47 Salomon built. Steeuen seemeth to gird Salomon glauncinglye in this place, as if he did not regard the nature of God in building the temple, yet did he attempt that work not without the commaundement of God. There was also a promise added, wherein God did testifie that he would be present with his people there. I answere that when Steeuen denieth that God dwelleth in temples made with hands, that is not referred vnto Salomon, who knew full well that God was to bee sought in heauen, and that mens mindes must be lifted vp thither by faith. Which thing he vttered also in that solemne prayer which he made. The heauens of heauens doe not containe thee: and how much lesse this house? but he reproueth the blockishnesse of the people, which abused the temple: as if it had had God tied to it.