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…

5 He saith that they began to preach the Gospel first in Salamis a famous City of Cyprus. Notwithstanding they seem to begin amiss: for whereas they were sent specially to the Gentiles, they preach the word of God nevertheless to the Jews, I answer that they were not so addicted to the Gentiles, that setting aside the Jews it stood them upon to go straight to the Gentiles. For when God did make them teachers of the Gentiles, he did not depose them from the office which they had heretofore exercised. So that there was no reason to let them, but that they might take pains both with Jews and Gentiles: yea ⟨p. 295⟩farther it was meet that they should begin with the Jews, as we shall see in the end of the Chapter. Moreover Luke addeth by the way, that they were holpen by John: for his meaning is not that he was their minister for any private use, or for the uses of body: but rather in that he was their helper to preach the Gospel, he commendeth his godly study and industry. Not that the degree of honour was equal, but because the labour was common to all: for which cause he had the less excuse afterward, seeing that he forsook the holy calling.

5 He saith that they beganne to preach the Gospel first in Salamis a famous Citie of Cyprus. Notwithstanding they seem to begin amisse: for whereas they were sent specially to the Gentiles, they preach the word of God neuerthelesse to the Iewes, I answere that they were not so addicted to the Gentiles, that setting aside the Iewes it stoode them vppon to goe streight to the Gentiles. For when God did make them teachers of the Gentiles, he did not depose them from the office which they had heretofore exercised. So that there was no reason to let them, but that they might take paines both with Iewes and Gentiles: yea ⟨p. 295⟩farther it was meete that they shoulde beginne with the Iewes, as we shall see in the end of the Chapter. Moreouer Luke addeth by the way, that they were holpen by Iohn: for his meaning is not that hee was their minister for any priuat vse, or for the vses of bodie: but rather in that hee was their helper to preach the Gospel, hee commendeth his godly studie and industrie. Not that the degree of honour was equall, but because the labour was common to all: for which cause hee had the lesse excuse afterward, seing that he forsooke the holy calling.