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…

36 There followeth a more famous token of Christs power, by how much it is more hard to restore life to a dead body, than to restore health to a man that is sick. But Luke doth first commend the person of Tabitha on whom the miracle was showed, and that with a double title: to wit, that she was Christs disciple, and that she approved her faith with good works and alms. He hath oftentimes already put this word Disciple for a Christian man: and least we should think that that name was proper to men only, he attributeth the same to a woman. And this title teacheth us, that Christianity cannot be without doctrine: & that that form of learning is prescribed, that the same Christ may be master to all. ⟨p. 229⟩This is the chiefest praise, this is the beginning of holy life, this is the root of all virtues, to have learned of the son of God, the way to live, and the true life. The fruits of good works proceed afterward from faith. By good works, I mean the duties of love, wherewith our neighbours are holpen: and Luke placeth the chief kind in Alms. The commendation of liberality is great, because as the holy Ghost doeth witness, it containeth in it self the sum of a godly and perfect life. Now we see what titles Tabitha hath. For religion toward God or faith goeth first, secondly that she exercised her self in helping the brethren, and specially in relieving the poverty of the poor. For by us it is come to pass, that all that help wherewith the poor and those which are in misery are holpen, is called Eleemosyna. Tabitha is rather a Syrian word than an Hebrew, which Luke did turn into Greek, that we might know that it was not like to the virtues of the holy women, and that she was debased in such a simple name. For Dorcas signifieth a goat: but the holiness of her life did easily wipe away the blot of a name not very seemly.

36 There followeth a more famous token of Christs power, by howe much it is more hard to restore life to a dead body, than to restore helth to a man that is sicke. But Luke doth first commende the person of Tabita on whom the myracle was shewed, and that with a double title: to wit, that shee was Christs disciple, and that she approued her faith with good workes and almes. Hee hath oftentimes alreadie put this worde Disciple for a Christian man: and least we should thinke that that name was proper to men onely, he attributeth the same to a woman. And this title teacheth vs, that Christianity cānot be without doctrin: & that that forme of learning is prescribed, that the same Christ may be master to al.