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…

10 O thou full of all deceit. It was not without cause that Paul was thus hot and angry, for he had no hope to do any good if he should deal after some moderate & mild sort. We must always begin with doctrine, and those are also to be admonished, exhorted, and pricked forward, ⟨p. 297⟩who do not as yet appear to be altogether obstinate. Neither doth Paul so vehemently inveigh against the sorcerer at the first dash: but when he seeth him maliciously and manifestly fight against the doctrine of godliness, he handleth him like a bondslave of Satan. Thus must we deal with the desperate enemies of the gospel, in whom appeareth open contumacy, and wicked contempt of God, especially when they stop the way before others. And least any man should think that Paul was out of measure angry, Luke saith plainly, that the inspiration of the spirit was his guide. Wherefore this heat of zeal is not only not to be reprehended, but it ought to make the profane contemners of God sore afraid, who fear not to rebel against his word: forasmuch as this judgement is given upon them all not by mortal man, but by the holy Ghost, by the mouth of Paul. As touching the words, this place refuteth their error, who think that Paul took his name of the deputy, as if he had set up some token of victory. There may many reasons be brought and those strong enough, on the contrary: but this one place is sufficient, where Luke showeth that at such time as the deputy was not brought to the faith he had two names. And it is not to be doubted, but that he retained his own name amongst the Jews, and we know that this was an usual thing, that those who were citizens of Rome should borrow some Italian name. Luke joineth subtlety with deceit which is contrary to sincerity: to wit, whiles crafty men transform their wit hither and thither, so that they have in them no simplicity, though the Greek word which Luke useth, signifieth ready boldness to do hurt: but the former signification agreeth better. By the son of the Devil, is meant a reprobate and desperate man. Such are all those which resist maliciously and as it were of set purpose, that which is just and right: therefore Paul addeth that he is a great enemy of all righteousness.

10 O thou full of all deceit. It was not without cause that Paul was thus hot and angrie, for he had no hope to do any good if he should deale after some moderate & milde sort. We must alwaies begin with doctrine, and those are also to be admonished, exhorted, and pricked forward,