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…

42 They would speak words. I have translated it as it is in Luke, though the article ta, may be taken for ta auta, as in some other places. Then the sense should be, That they were requested, that they would that week entreat of the same things before the gentiles. Furthermore whiles that the gentiles do snatch greedily at every first opportunity, the Jews being quiet, do neglect that which is set before them: save only that certain of them join themselves to Paul & Barnabas. Luke expresseth the proselytes by name: who seeing they had embraced the doctrine of the Law and did worship the God of Israel, were not puffed up with that pride, which hindered the Jews who made boast of their long stock and race.

42 They would speak words. I haue translated it as it is in Luke, though the article ta, may bee taken for ta auta, as in some other places. Then the sense shuld be, That they were requested, that they wold that weeke intreat of the same things before the gentiles. Furthermore whiles that the gentiles do snatch gredily at euery first opportunity, the Iews being quiet, do neglect that which is set before them: saue only that certain of them ioyne themselues to Paul & Barnabas. Luke expresseth the proselytes by name: who seeing they had embraced the doctrine of the Law and did worship the God of Israel, were not puffed vp with that pride, which hindred the Iewes who made boast of their long stock and race.

43 Who speaking. The sense is doubtful. For it may be referred unto the Jews and Proselytes, that they exhorted Paul and Barnabas that they should not faint, but stand stoutly in the grace of God. Neither did ⟨p. 322⟩they want occasion: for they saw combats prepared for them: & that therefore they had need of invincible constancy to suffer and abide the brunts of the contrary faction. Wherefore that might very well agree, that being inflamed with a desire to go forward, they sought to encourage Paul and Barnabas to hold on. If you refer it unto Paul and Barnabas, the sense shall be this: that they did not reject those which came, but they entertained them courteously and gently, and confirmed and strengthened them, that they might persist in the grace which they had received. And this word Grace, doth first comprehend the faith of the Gospel, secondly those good things which come thence to us: or that I may speak more briefly, the calling into the hope of eternal salvation.