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…

For although god had used him hitherto at Antioch & elsewhere, this was now added as a peculiar thing, that god did intend to adopt the Gentiles into the same inheritance of life with the Jews. But and if he were thus created a teacher of the Church from the beginning, he should not then have bin called at that time by men. For seeing the Lord doth pronounce that he had called him, what doth he leave for the Church, save only that they subscribe obediently? For mens judgement is not here put in as in a doubtful matter, neither have their voices & consents any freedom. But we must mark what I have already said, that Paul & Barnabas are not now only appointed teachers, but they have an extraordinary office enjoined them, that they may begin to bring the grace of God commonly unto the Gentiles. And that do the words import when it is said, Separate to the work. For undoubtedly he speaketh of a new work, & which had heretofore not bin used. But how is Barnabas in this place appointed to be Pauls companion and fellow in office, who as far as we can read, did never execute the office of teaching? yea who did always give Paul leave to teach, without saying any thing himself? I answer that he had occasions enough offered him to speak in Paul his absence, so that they had both of them enough to do. For one could not always be present in all places. It is not to be doubted but that he did faithfully discharge that duty which God had enjoined him, and that he was no dumb looker on. And why should we wonder that Luke doth not set down his sermons in plain words, seeing that he scarce repeateth one of a thousand, of Pauls?

For although god had vsed him hitherto at Antioch & elswhere, this was now added as a peculiar thing, that god did intend to adopt the Gentiles into the same inheritance of life with the Iewes. But and if he were thus created a teacher of the Church from the beginning, he shuld not then haue bin called at that time by men. For seing the Lord doth pronounce that he had called him, what doth he leaue for the Church, saue onely that they subscribe obediently? For mens iudgement is not here put in as in a doubtful matter, neither haue their voices & consents any freedome. But we must marke what I haue already said, that Paul & Barnabas are not now onely appointed teachers, but they haue an extraordinary office inioyned thē, that they may begin to bring the grace of God commonly vnto the Gentiles. And that doe the words import when it is said, Seperate to the work. For vndoubtedly he speaketh of a new worke, & which had heretofore not bin vsed. But how is Barnabas in this place appointed to be Pauls companion and fellow in office, who as far as we can read, did neuer execute the office of teaching? yea who did alwayes giue Paul leaue to teach, without saying any thing himselfe? I answere that he had occasions ynough offered him to speake in Paul his absence, so that they had both of them ynough to do. For one could not alwayes be present in all places. It is not to be doubted but that he did faithfully discharge that duty which God had inioyned him, and that he was no dumbe looker on. And why should we wonder that Luke doth not set downe his sermons in plaine words, seing that he scarce repeateth one of a thousand, of Pauls?